Blues player George Moala trial: Girlfriend says he was trying to 'protect her'

Blues player George Moala. Photo / Getty

The girlfriend of an Auckland rugby star said he was trying to protect her when he got involved in a fracas that led to him being charged by police.

Blues player George Moala, 24, and his brother Siua, face two charges of assault with intent to injure, and one of common assault after an incident on Auckland's Karangahape Rd early on December 30, 2012.

The Auckland District Court trial this week heard from two complainants who claim they were attacked at Desi Lounge - a small upstairs bar - in the early hours of the morning,
One of the men, Clifford Matoka, sustained a nicked artery in his neck and was hospitalised after suffering significant blood loss.

The Crown said his wound was caused by a bottle.

Giving evidence today, George Moala's girlfriend of five years, Vava Fosita, said she was hit by one of the men which led to her partner trying to "protect her", as the action spilled outside.

Matoka and his friend Daniel Leota came into the nightclub and the latter was acting aggressively, she said.

"When he first walked in, he wasn't looking at us but he was shouting. He turned round and saw us. He saw George and asked for a 'one out'," she said, through tears.

When the brawl erupted, she said she grabbed the rugby player and tried to pull him away from the melee.

It is alleged a brawl started because of tensions between Tongans and Samoans.

Crown prosecutor Josh Shaw told the jury, after the initial fight had subsided, George Moala then attacked Mr Matoka as he was being helped downstairs by bouncers.

Ms Fosita said the man threw a punch which clipped her lip, before her boyfriend stepped in and punched him back.

She could not remember seeing Siua Moala do anything that night, she said.

Mr Shaw suggested she was "choosing not to remember" and doing so because she did not want to get her boyfriend in trouble.

The trial, before Judge Rob Ronayne, is expected to finish tomorrow.