League star defends 'choke' on girlfriend

Wests Tigers halfback Robert Lui. Photo / Getty Images

Wests Tigers halfback Robert Lui will vigorously defend nine charges, including one of using a "choke" on his pregnant girlfriend and another of holding her against her will.

Lui, 20, appeared in Burwood Local Court this afternoon and was granted bail of $A6000 on the condition he live at an address in the Sydney suburb of Chiswick and not approach his partner.

The rising league star handed himself into police after a complaint about an incident early on Sunday morning, hours after the Tigers had exited the NRL finals in a 13-12 loss to St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium.

The offences include two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, three of common assault, one of malicious damage, one of choke with intent to commit an indictable offence, one of detain for advantage and one of aggravated robbery.

Three of the charges relate to offences committed in May this year while Network 10 reported Lui had taken his partner Tahleah's mobile phone during the Sunday morning incident.

Lui's manager Mark Stewart said his client would mount a strong defence.

"Without a doubt," he told AAP.

"My only concern now is making sure that Robert's okay and Tahleah's okay.

"It will go through the process of the courts now and he will be vigorously defending the charges."

Mr Stewart said Lui's partner was not seriously injured.

"She's fine, she's okay but my concern is just to make sure that, more mentally than anything, they're both okay," he said.

The lawyer said any such incident would be out of character for Lui.

"He's a very placid, happy-going, laid-back guy," he said.

"It's going to be a pretty difficult period but with the support of the family and the Wests Tigers he'll be fine."

Police released a statement this afternoon.

"Burwood police have arrested a 20-year-old man in relation to allegations of a domestic violence-related assault on the weekend," the statement read.

"The incident is alleged to have occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning at an address in Abbotsford.

"A woman suffered facial injuries.

"The matter was reported to police later that day."

Lui, who appeared from television footage to have shaved his head since Saturday night, was immediately stood down by the Tigers.

"Robert Lui has been relieved of his club duties until further notice so that he can properly concentrate his attention on the matters in question," a club statement read.

"Wests Tigers has an inclusive and family orientated culture and does not condone violence against women."

Lui recently put his good late-season form down to his impending fatherhood after starring in the Tigers' run to third place on the NRL ladder.

The incident comes at the worst possible time for the league as it prepares for this Sunday's grand final between the Dragons and the Sydney Roosters.

"These are very serious matters and must be left to the courts to determine," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.

"We've spoken to Wests Tigers today and are comfortable that they are dealing with it as best they can.

"It goes without saying that violence against women is not tolerated in our game.

"It must be a distressing time for all parties involved and we will do what we can to help but it is largely a police matter at this stage."

The matter returns to Burwood Local Court in November.

- AP