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Pushing and trying to pick a fight with two police officers cost a professional rugby player $600 in fines.
In Christchurch District Court today Kahn Fa'asego Fotualii, 24, pleaded guilty to two charges of assaulting police after the early morning incident last month on Christchurch's Oxford Tce nightclub strip.
Police withdrew a charge of resisting arrest against Fotualii, who played halfback for the Nelson-based Tasman Makos in the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup this year and has been seconded to the Crusaders as part of their wider training group for the 2007 Super 14 rugby season.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Mark Berryman told the court a "moderately intoxicated" Fotualii was with a group of friends on Oxford Tce about 2am on November 26 when he walked behind two police officers and pushed a sergeant on the shoulder.
When the sergeant approached him, Fotualii became "extremely aggressive and confrontational".
Fotualii made several attempts to lunge at the sergeant and pushed a female constable.
Mr Berryman said about six of Fotualii's friends gathered around and tried to start a fight with police.
One of Fotualii's associates then pushed the constable and as she tried to arrest the friend, Fotualii pushed her away, obstructing the constable.
Fotualii and his friends continued abusing, threatening and trying to initiate a fight with the two officers until other police arrived and arrested them.
Mr Berryman said Fotualii told police he had no idea why he pushed the officers.
Lawyer Amanda Butler said Fotualii was "extremely remorseful" and regretted the incident "hugely".
"It's been a huge lesson and a wake-up call for him," she said.
Fotualii had given an assurance he would never be involved in a similar situation.
"It's a terrible start to his professional career," Ms Butler said.
Judge Ian Thomas, of Tauranga, said he accepted the incident was relatively minor and stemmed from hijinks fuelled by alcohol. He convicted Fotualii and fined him $300 on each charge.
Canterbury Rugby Union chief executive Hamish Riach told NZPA Fotualii committed the offences before the Crusaders' wider training group gathered together for the first time.
"His behaviour was not appropriate and it's disappointing," Mr Riach said.
However, Fotualii had been up front from the outset and advised the Crusaders soon after the incident.
Asked if Fotualii faced disciplinary action from the Crusaders, Mr Riach said that was an employment issue and it was not appropriate for him to comment further.
- NZPA
