George Moala a 'very good man' - Kirwan

Queen's Counsel Paul Wicks (left) and Blues midfielder George Moala before the rugby player was discharged without conviction. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Blues coach sticks by his star player over assault case.

Blues coach Sir John Kirwan has called George Moala a "very good man" after the midfielder's discharge without conviction on a bar brawl assault charge.

Sir John was at the 24-year-old's sentencing at the Auckland District Court on Wednesday as a gesture of support and also submitted a reference which described Moala as a "humble young man who has matured a lot over the past couple of years", and who had a "very bright rugby career ahead of him".

Moala was found guilty in January of one charge of assault with intent to injure during a bar fight in December 2012, which means he has played the whole season at the Blues with the charge hanging over him.

Sir John said yesterday after selecting Moala to play against the Rebels in Melbourne tonight that his player had been "outstanding" in the way he had handled the ordeal.

"He's a very good young man, actually. He's handled it very, very well. I live and work with him every day and I know how hard it's been for him and his family so I was just there to support him."

The powerful yet quick Moala has given the Blues significant attacking thrust in a backline that has generally struggled this year. "I've always thought he was going to be a great No12," Sir John said. "He's big, strong and fast and naturally gifted at the line with his feet.

"He's been one of our better performers. He was injured early and we really missed him."

Hooker Keven Mealamu said of Moala yesterday: "For him to be able to play as well as he is, I'm just looking forward to seeing him play with his shoulders relaxed."

Moala's lawyer, Paul Wicks, QC, yesterday defended the judge's decision to give his client a discharge without conviction, saying all judges followed the legal requirements to make such a decision having looked at all the evidence before them.

"In my experience as counsel regularly appearing before the courts, judges properly apply the relevant legal test for a discharge and do so with the benefit of having before them evidence of the consequences of a conviction on the applicant seeking a discharge," he said in an email to NZME. News Service.

"That evidence is usually by way of sworn affidavit evidence.

"It is critically examined and the judge does need to be satisfied that they have before them sufficient evidence to find there are the direct and indirect consequences raised."

There was no difference between a famous or high-profile person and anybody else asking for such a decision before the courts, he said.

Moala, who was ordered by Judge Rob Ronayne to pay $2500 for emotional harm to victim Clifford Matoka, has yet to face a Blues and NZ Rugby judicial hearing.