Matthew Ridge's run-in with bouncers at a Viaduct bar in central Auckland started over a cigarette, a witness has said.
As reported in the Herald on Sunday last week, the former All Black and league international was thrown out of Mantells on the Water 10 days ago and physically restrained by bouncers outside, as seen in a photo taken by a witness.
Ridge claimed in the NZ Herald this week that he sustained nerve damage after having his arm held up his back.
A witness to the incident, but not the person who took the photo, said Matthew appeared to be having a normal conversation with estranged daughter Jaime at the APN Outdoor party before things got out of hand.
The eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said she saw Matthew approach Jaime inside the venue.