Manly coach Des Hasler fronts Sydney court during Manase Fainu’s criminal trial

Manly coach Des Hasler arrived at a Sydney court on Thursday to support sidelined star Manase Fainu, who is on trial for allegedly stabbing a man.

Manase Fainu in action against the Newcastle Knights in 2019. Picture: AAP Image

Manly NRL coach Des Hasler has revealed he wants sidelined star Manase Fainu back in his team as he arrived at a Sydney court to support the 24-year-old who is charged over a stabbing.

Mr Fainu has pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm before a jury in the NSW District Court over the altercation at a Mormon dance party in 2019. He has not played a game since then.

Mr Hasler arrived at the courthouse on Thursday flanked by Mr Fainu’s legal team, which includes senior defence barrister Margaret Cunneen SC and solicitor Paul McGirr.

When asked outside court why he was there, Mr Hasler responded: “To support Manase. He’s a wonderful person.”

Asked if he wanted Fainu back in his side, Mr Hasler said: “We do, yeah.”

Des Hasler arrives at court with Manase Fainu’s legal team. Picture: Channel 9

Fainu is fighting the charge of wounding a person with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.

Churchgoer Tony Quach has previously told the trial that he saw Mr Fainu stab youth leader Faamanu Levi during a brawl outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Wattle Grove.

But Fainu’s defence claims he had no quarrel with anyone.

Mr Levi previously told the court that earlier in the night he had spoken to two men who were involved in an altercation on a dance floor before they were escorted off church grounds.

It has been alleged that Mr Levi and his friends were later attacked by a group of men in the parking lot as they were standing around his white Honda Civic and preparing to leave.

Mr Levi previously told the court he felt a “stab” on his lower right shoulder.

“Did you see who stabbed you?” Crown prosecutor Emma Curran asked Mr Levi.

“No,” he responded.

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