A man smashed a glass into a woman's face while they watched an Australia-New Zealand rugby league test after she objected to him ridiculing New Zealanders, a Brisbane court heard yesterday.
John Owen Bonney, aged 57, pleaded not guilty to assault causing bodily harm to Maureen Bidois, 51, on October 15, 1999.
They were among a crowd in a bar watching the match, which the Kiwis won 24-22.
The prosecutor said Bonney repeatedly said New Zealanders only came to Australia for the dole.
Mrs Bidois, who is married to a New Zealander, said she threatened to throw a jug of water at him if he did not stop his insults.
"Suddenly he knocked the jug out of my hand and stood up and hit me in the face with a glass."
She was left bleeding profusely and developed a black eye.
Bonney alleged that Mrs Bidois threw the jug at him and that he had only pushed it back at her, and had not used a wineglass.
Man pleads not guilty to rugby rage
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