Blues Super Rugby star George Moala has been discharged without conviction for punching a man in an Auckland bar brawl - but his future with the team still hangs in the balance.
The 24-year-old appeared in Auckland District Court on Wednesday afternoon for sentencing on a charge of assaulting Clifford Matoka with intent to injure at Karangahape Rd bar Desi Lounge on December 20, 2012.
Judge Rob Ronayne discharged him without conviction, but ordered him to pay $NZ2500 ($A2,380) in emotional harm reparation to his victim.
A jury in January found Moala guilty of the charge which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison, but found Moala's 25-year-old brother Siua not guilty of taking part in the attack.
Insults were thrown between two groups at the bar and Moala was instrumental in the fight becoming physical, crown lawyer Josh Shaw said.
He said Moala punched and hit Mr Matoka as he lay on the dance floor injured while security staff attempted to intervene.
Mr Matoka suffered a bad head laceration and lost a significant amount of blood in the attack.
But defence lawyer Paul Wicks QC said Moala wasn't the main attacker and argued for a discharge without conviction.
Moala's family and coach Sir John Kirwan were in court to support him.
Judge Ronayne said Moala had an otherwise unblemished record, with Sir John describing Moala as a humble man with a bright future who had been embarrassed by the charges.
"Mr Moala, you have let yourself, your family, and your employers down badly with this behaviour ... High profile brings with it a higher level of embarrassment."
The judge said the effects of a conviction on Moala and his young family would be out of proportion, as Moala would struggle to find work elsewhere, and said the very public sentencing was denunciation on its own.
The Blues franchise and New Zealand Rugby Union released a statement shortly after the sentencing, saying an employment process would need to be concluded over the next few weeks now that the judicial process was complete.
"Meantime, George will be available for selection and continue to receive professional support in his personal development."
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