Newcastle Knights NRL star Tautau Moga charged with common assault

Rugby league has been hit with another off-field incident with Newcastle’s Tautau Moga charged by police after he allegedly slapped a taxi driver in the head.

Newcastle Knights centre Tautau Moga.

Update: Newcastle Knights centre Tautau Moga has been charged with assault after he allegedly slapped a taxi driver twice in the head on Boxing Day.

Rugby League’s off-field woes have continued into the new year with Moga the latest to be charged by police. It is alleged Moga and another man were refused entry into a Newcastle King St pub on Boxing Day.

The Saturday Telegraph has learnt Moga and the man got into a taxi where the alleged incident took place.

Newcastle Knights centre Tautau Moga.

Police confirmed Moga was charged with common assault.

“It is alleged the 25-year-old man slapped the taxi driver twice in the head,” a police statement read.

“Police from Newcastle City Police District were notified and attended a short time later. The 25-year-old man was arrested and taken to Newcastle police station.

“The man was issued with an infringement notice for fail to quit licenced premises. Following further inquires on Wednesday the man was charged by way of future court attendance notice for common assault.”

Moga is due to appear in Newcastle local court on March 21 – just six days after Newcastle’s round one clash against Cronulla.

The Knights confirmed the club were “aware of an incident involving a player”.

“The club altered the NRL Integrity Unit at an appropriate time and are co-operation with the NSW Police,” the club said in a statement.

Earlier this month, Moga’s teammate Jacob Saifiti was charged $50,000 – with $25,000 suspended – for bringing the club into disrupt after being knocked unconscious and breaking his leg outside a Newcastle hotel.

New Newcastle CEO Phil Gardner has promised to slap players with fines of 25 per cent of their contract for any poor behaviour away from the field.

Moga is looking to resurrect his career this year after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament for the fourth time last year in just his fourth game for the Knights having joined the club from Brisbane.

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Originally published as Newcastle Knights NRL star Tautau Moga charged with common assault