Ex-NRL player pleads not guilty to murder

Former NRL player Craig Field has pleaded not guilty to the single-punch killing of a farmer outside a NSW pub.

The former South Sydney player has been charged with the one-punch attack on Tweed cattle farmer Kelvin Kane, 50, outside a Kingscliff hotel in July 2012.

Mr Kane, 50, was found lying unconscious outside the pub on the north coast.

Field and a co-accused were arrested at the scene.

Field, who was dressed in a pink business shirt, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment at the Supreme Court on Friday.

His matter was set down for a three-week trial in November.

Crown prosecutor Terry Thorpe said he expected the issue at trial to be whether it can be established beyond reasonable doubt that Field intended to cause Mr Kane grievous bodily harm.

"I don't think there is any dispute that the accused hit the deceased," he said.

"There will be some evidence as to what the result was."

He said the crown will allege there was one blow.

It is expected that Field will be represented by Tony Bellanto QC.