Troubled player Jack de Belin is suing the National Rugby League (NRL) for standing him down, and demanding it pay for "corrective advertising" to clear his reputation.

Key points: De Belin's case will be heard in the Federal Court just hours before the NRL's 2019 season launch

De Belin's case will be heard in the Federal Court just hours before the NRL's 2019 season launch The 27-year-old was charged over the alleged aggravated sexual assault in company of a 19-year-old woman

The 27-year-old was charged over the alleged aggravated sexual assault in company of a 19-year-old woman He said the new policy removed his presumption of innocence

He launched legal action against the NRL to fight new rules banning him from playing while he faces serious criminal charges.

His case was in the Federal Court on Thursday for a case management hearing — just hours before the NRL's 2019 season launch.

The matter has been deferred until next week, after revelations the new rule allowing players to be banned was not yet in place.

In court Thursday afternoon, lawyers for the Australian Rugby League Commission conceded the new rules were yet to be introduced, meaning there was nothing to stop De Belin from playing.

The ARLC insisted the rule would be enacted by the next time the case returned to court next Thursday.

The 27-year-old was charged over the alleged aggravated sexual assault in company of a 19-year-old woman in Wollongong after a night out in December.

The St George Illawarra Dragons player pleaded not guilty to the charge, as did his co-accused, Shellharbour Sharks player Callan Sinclair.

Reacting to a series of off-season incidents, including de Belin's matter, the NRL and the sport's governing body, the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), announced a crackdown on poor player behaviour last week.

The new rules required players accused of "serious indictable offences" — charges with a maximum penalty of 11 or more years — to be stood down on full pay while the matter was before the courts.

ARLC chairman Peter Beattie (right) and NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg announced the new rules last week. ( AAP: Joel Carrett )

In a new twist, de Belin is now suing the NRL for misleading and deceptive conduct and challenging its power to suspend him.

He is also demanding the NRL pay for an advertising campaign, pending a successful outcome, to repair his reputation.

In documents filed in the Federal Court, the player said he was not in breach of the NRL Code of Conduct and therefore could not be suspended.

He added the NRL and ARLC had already "formed the view that [he] was guilty of the alleged offence" and his conduct "warranted his immediate suspension".

De Belin said he was entitled to the presumption of innocence and the NRL's new rules were unreasonable, contrary to public policy and interfered with player contracts by unlawfully stopping him from trading.

The NSW State of Origin player wants the NRL to "immediately" issue a press release and pay for advertisements in major newspapers, which would read: "The NRL has not suspended St George Illawarra player Jack de Belin. He is available to play for St George Illawarra."

He is also chasing costs and damages.