Fijian rugby player guilty of assaulting women

Inappropriate behaviour at an Invercargill strip club led to a Fijian international and Southland Stag rugby player assaulting two women after he refused to leave.

In the Invercargill District Court yesterday, Judge Russell Walker said Talemaitoga Tuapati arrived at Divaz Revue Bar in Invercargill about 12.30am on July 23.

The summary of facts said initially the 36-year-old was socialising and drinking with work colleagues, however, after about 40 minutes staff approached Tuapati, saying his behaviour towards the dancers on stage had become inappropriate.

“The untoward behaviour continued, resulting in the defendant being asked to leave the premises.”

The female owner, who was not on the premises at the time, was called.

After she arrived, she advised Tuapati he had to leave and told him his behaviour was inappropriate.

“You responded — you had paid your money and you were not leaving,” Judge Walker said.

For about six minutes the owner tried to persuade Tuapati to leave but he refused.

“She grabbed you by the left arm and started pushing you in the back.”

In response, Tuapati swung his left arm back with force hitting the owner in the face, which he then followed up with punches to her face.

The second victim, a patron, became involved as she tried to help.

Tuapati lashed out, forceful