What’s the Buzz: NRL star Luciano Leilua proposes to girlfriend despite facing DV charges

Just a month after Luciano Leilua was charged with two domestic violence offences, the NRL forward blindsided the league with a social media video.

Cowboys NRL forward Luciano Leilua has become engaged to the woman he is accused of assaulting in an alleged domestic violence incident which cost him a trip to the World Cup.

Leilua was last month kicked off the Samoan team and stood down from all football under the NRL’s no-fault stand down policy in which players are banned from competing while facing serious legal charges.

Instead of going to England for the tournament, Leilua, his 26-year-old partner Dora and their young daughter Ida-Lynn travelled to France where he proposed to her in front of the Eiffel Tower.

He posted photos on Instagram with the caption “she said yes”.

This was just a month after the forward was charged with two domestic violence offences — common assault and damaging or destroying property (a mobile phone.)

Leilua, who is on a three-year $2 million contract at the Cowboys, is allowed to train with the team.

Luciano Leilua is likely to miss the first ten rounds of the NRL season. Ian Hitchcock/Getty

However, his court case is not listed until May 18, and he will miss at least the first 10 rounds of the competition under the NRL’s no-fault stand down rule.

Leilua’s high-profile lawyer, Elias Tabchouri, spoke to News Corp of his attempts to get the matter addressed earlier.

“His partner (Dora) has made it clear she doesn’t want to go ahead with it,” Tabchouri said.

“Everyone accepts domestic violence is very serious and everyone accepts the stance taken by the NRL is fine in certain circumstances.

Luciano Leilua proposes in front of the Eiffel Tower.

“However there has to be discretion attached as well. You can’t have a mandatory, blanket approach.

“That discretion has to be regulated by a number of factors including (Covid-related) delays that are outside the normal delays for the adjudication of matters, the attitude of the complainant, the non-criminal history of the player and the fact he is denying the charges.

“Where is the presumption of innocence in all this?”

Despite the charges, police put no orders in place preventing Leilua from residing with his partner.

“His partner refuses to make or sign a formal statement against him to police and indicated on the day she did not wish to proceed with the matter,” Tabchouri said.

“These facts need to come into play. We will endeavour to communicate with the police and we will be taking it up with the NRL with a view to allowing him to continue with his football career.”

I put it to Tabchouri that their engagement could be seen as a stunt to help the legal case.

“They have a child together,” he said, “They have been committed to each other for a very long time. This isn’t an overnight relationship or a stunt.

“From my observation their commitment is unquestioned.”

A spokesman for the NRL said: “The no-fault stand down condition will remain in place until the matter is determined by the court or withdrawn.”