Italian club backing Mils Muliaina as he faces charges of sexual assault

Mils Muliaina arrives at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday. Photo / Wales News Service

An Italian club is backing former All Blacks player Mils Muliaina as he faces charges of sexual assault in the UK.

Muliaina, who appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday (NZT), but did not enter a plea, is expected to fight the charges relating to an alleged attack on a 19-year-old woman in March.

And it appears he has his current club's support - with Zebre Rugby saying it is not concerned about the assault charge, RadioLive reported.

Muliaina played for Irish side Connacht when the charges came to light earlier this year, but has since signed with Italian club Zebre.

Last month, Zebre media manager Leonardo Mussini said the club was keeping an eye on the situation.

"I can confirm the club is monitoring the situation, also via the player's agent, and we're waiting for the decision," Mr Mussini said.

Mr Mussini also praised Zebre's newest player as a "great champion" on Facebook on August 28.

Muliaina's manager Simon Porter could not be immediately reached for comment.

At the time of his arrest, Mr Porter said the former All Black was "pretty upset" and "shocked" about the allegations.

Muliaina, 35, was charged with sexual assault in July after an alleged attack on March 7.

The day before the alleged incident, Muliaina appeared for Connacht as they lost 18-17 to the Cardiff Blues.

He was arrested in April at the end of Connacht's defeat in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final, with TV cameras capturing the moment he was take away by police.

Yesterday, Muliaina stood calmly in the dock wearing a smart dark suit with a shirt and tie as the court heard that there was CCTV footage of the alleged attack.

Muliaina's legal team said he would be "contesting the charges" and a trial date was fixed for February next year.

Judge Eleri Rees gave Muliaina unconditional bail ahead of his next court appearance in October.

Muliaina, a married father, was one of the All Blacks' most popular players and was appointed captain for the opening tests of the 2009 season.

He became the second player to earn his 100th cap for the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in 2011 and retired from international rugby in the same year. He had previously played for the Blues and Chiefs.

The Samoan-born fullback and his estranged wife Hayley have a 6-year-old son, Max. He was recently in New Zealand for Jerry Collins' funeral in Porirua.

His lawyer has previously said the rugby player "totally denied the allegation".

- Additional reporting from the Wales News Service