The former partner of rugby league star Semi Radradra has told a Sydney court he punched her in the face and then confessed to their pastor.
Radradra who plays for the Parramatta Eels has been charged with two counts of common assault against his ex‑girlfriend Perina Ting in November 2014.
Ting told Parramatta Local Court Radradra punched her on the cheek at their home in Western Sydney after an argument about her mother being unable to visit from Fiji.
The court was told Radradra then confessed the assault to their pastor.
Ting said she had recently given birth and had wanted her mother to visit but she was not able to because Radradra had not filled in the paperwork.
She said the couple argued about the visit, then Radradra became upset because she spoke to her mother for too long on the phone.
Ting testified she smashed the phone on the wall and Radradra stood up and punched her.
Ting said she locked herself in the toilet and heard Radradra call their pastor and ask him to come over.
She said Radradra told the pastor in Fijian: "I used my hands on her."
The second charge relates to an allegation the rugby league player pushed Ting against a wall and knocked her unconscious.
A third charge that he kicked her in the stomach when she was pregnant has been dropped.
It was confirmed last month that Radradra will leave Parramatta after the 2017 season to play for French rugby union side Toulon.
Five witnesses are expected to give evidence in the trial.
Source: abc.net.au
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