From SMH:
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/te-maari-kod-after-going-to-help-roberts/2008/02/04/1201973775625.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
Te Maari KO'd helping Roberts
Andrew Webster | February 5, 2008
Bulldogs back-rower Lee Te Maari was left unconscious and bleeding in an alleyway after being involved in the same brawl that left teammate Ben Roberts severely concussed and later arrested for allegedly assaulting police.
On the day the club should have been celebrating a new three-year deal for captain Andrew Ryan, the Bulldogs were left to answer questions about Roberts' involvement in an incident outside the Glasshouse Tavern in Wollongong early Sunday morning.
The
Herald understands Te Maari was bashed while coming to Roberts' aid.
The pair gave statements to Wollongong police yesterday in which they alleged security staff were involved.
A police spokesperson said no further complaint had been made.
Roberts' manager, David Riolo last night said: "Ben made a full statement to police, and he told them that he was bashed by up to five blokes."
Management from the popular Wollongong nightspot did not return calls yesterday but a staff member, who declined to be named, said: "It was not one of us. We were the ones who tried to help him [Roberts] after he was bashed."
Bulldogs chief executive Malcolm Noad last night refused to comment on Te Maari's involvement, but the
Herald has been told the player has been "traumatised" by the incident.
It is understood the young second-rower was chased after trying to help Roberts, who had earlier been ejected from the premises.
The attack - which was not captured by CCTV footage - left Roberts with severe lacerations and bruising to his face.
Police were later forced to use capsicum spray to subdue him when he attempted to re-enter the club to look for Te Maari.
Roberts was later charged with resisting arrest, common assault, refusing to comply with a police direction and offensive behaviour and will appear in court on February 26.
"The whole thing has left him rattled," Riolo said.
While the full extent of Te Maari's injuries are unknown, Roberts will undergo scans today to reveal the extent of his concussion.
The club has not ruled out disciplinary action although it seemed to rally behind him.
Noad said Roberts had apologised to him personally but said the concussion had been the reason for his actions.
"He's at pains to point out that he was beaten quite badly, and he wants the police to investigate that beating," Noad said. "It's too early to think about what we're going to do about it. There's a police investigation and an internal club investigation going on, "I'm not necessarily saying it's not his fault. He did put himself in that position."
Roberts and Te Maari were noticeable absentees at the announcement of Ryan's re-signing.
In a clear show of unity for a club reportedly riven by factionalism heading into this month's annual general meeting, the entire Bulldogs squad and administration staff were on hand.
"We all wanted to be here, the whole club, to show we're all ready to go together as a unit," Ryan said.
Coach Steve Folkes said: "I wanted to thank Andrew for the confidence he's shown in the club. Contrary to what seems to be the perception out there, this club is not in disarray."
The Roberts-Te Maari incident follows last week's arrest of Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston for being drunk in a public place and South Sydney's David Fa'alogo being fined and sent home for punching a man at a taxi rank in Florida on the team's US trip.
"It's always a concern when our players get involved in these type of incidents," NRL chief executive David Gallop said. "But I'm not sure whether they are more prevalent than usual."
Noad said the club had not considered alcohol bans. "You can't tell people not to drink," he said. "We try to instil the right values in them. The fact is the majority of the players do the right thing most of the time."
