The 30-year-old is accused of the aggravated sexual assault of a woman at a home in the NSW Hunter region on September 30 — the night of the NRL grand final.
Mr Hayne's lawyer spoke to media outside the court.
"Mr Hayne maintains he is innocent, a plea of not guilty will be entered," he said.
"He'd like at this time to thanks those who have offered him support, in particular his mother and father."
Mr Hayne sat in the front row of the public gallery at Burwood Local Court while his matter was heard.
