KEY POINTS:
A 33-year-old man who went to bring his girlfriend home from a rugby club ended up bleeding to death on the ground, a High Court jury was told yesterday.
Tolo Magele Pelenise Tofa died on November 18, 2006, after two men - Sing-Piu Ati, 19, and Moe Jim Vagaia, 21 - fought him in the carpark of the Manukau Rovers Rugby Club in Mangere.
The fight broke out after Mr Tofa was overheard arguing with a friend of his girlfriend.
Ati is on trial for murder and Vagaia has pleaded not guilty to a charge of wounding with intent to injure or an alternative charge of injuring with intent.
Prosecutor Danielle Hauer told the court Mr Tofa was attacked from the front by Vagaia, and from behind by Ati, who was armed with a knife.
The Crown alleges Vagaia hit Mr Tofa over the head with a beer bottle and repeatedly punched him, while Ati stabbed him.
"There is evidence he [Mr Tofa] was trying to defend himself or try and calm the situation down," Ms Hauer said.
Ati admitted stabbing Mr Tofa in the back but denies inflicting the wound that ultimately killed him - a cut to the right of the neck that severed his jugular.
Ms Hauer said the Crown would call witnesses who would testify they saw Ati in a punching motion, reaching around the right side of Mr Tofa's face.
"The Crown suggests this punch could well be the punch that results in the wound to the neck."
Ati's lawyer, Shane Tait, said his client admitted stabbing the deceased in the back but did not inflict the neck wound.
He said it would also become clear Ati become involved in the fight to help Vagaia and this would show he did not have murderous intent while he was fighting.
The trial is expected to last seven days.
