Former Brisbane Broncos star Teui Robati will stand trial this month on two counts of rape.
The charges relate to an alleged assault of a woman in a Fortitude Valley bar in Brisbane on December 21, 2022.
The 22-year-old is yet to enter any formal plea before the court but has previously denied the allegations.
Robati is set to appear before a four-day trial on the 22nd of this month.
In February, Judge Paul Smith granted an application for the alleged victim to be treated as a special witness.
The woman will pre-record her evidence and be cross-examined by Robati’s barrister ahead of the trial.
A special witness can be declared by the court if a person due to give evidence is likely to suffer severe emotional trauma or be so intimidated as to be disadvantaged as a witness.
The New Zealand-born rugby league player was axed by the Broncos in February 2023 before the NRL season started after he was charged for the alleged incident.
Robati made his NRL debut in 2021 and has appeared in 17 NRL games.
He also represented the Maori All-Stars in 2022.
[Source: news.com.au]
