| It normally takes a couple of 16-stone forwards | | | | was set upon. He has a broken nose, missing |
| to bring down Rugby League star Paul Whatuira. | | | | front teeth and other severe dental problems." |
| But when the 6ft former New Zealand | | | | The man was kept in hospital overnight. Another |
| international was arrested after an "unprovoked" | | | | man attacked nearby was not badly hurt. It is |
| street attack, police decided it was wiser to use a | | | | believed Whatuira was bleeding from minor cuts |
| Taser gun. | | | | after his violent struggle with police. |
| The 28-year-old Huddersfield Giants player | | | | Giants managing director Richard Thewlis said: |
| allegedly struck two men in an early morning | | | | "Paul and his family have the full medical support |
| confrontation in the town centre. | | | | of the club." |
| Hours later he was bailed and taken from police | | | | Police said: "Officers arrested a 28-year-old after |
| cells to a psychiatric hospital for a mental health | | | | reports of two assaults." |
| check. | | | | It is believed Whatuira is now in a Bradford |
| One of the attacked men has severe face | | | | hospital. |
| injuries and a suspected broken jaw. | | | | He joined Super League Giants last year and was |
| Whatuira, who weighs 14-stone, was arrested by | | | | nicknamed Fatz the Black Cat because he is quiet |
| police who had to call for back-up before using | | | | and wily. |
| the stun gun. | | | | Whatuira missed games on June 26 and July 5 |
| It is understood the player, whose fiancée is | | | | after complaining of severe headaches but |
| pregnant, was being treated at a local hospital | | | | returned to action when scans revealed no |
| before he left the premises early on the day of | | | | problems. |
| the incident. | | | | WHATUIRA'S RUGBY CAREER |
| The violence began when a man walking from his | | | | Whatuira made 16 appearances for New Zealand |
| car to engineering firm TWL was attacked on the | | | | and is the Giants' the most capped player. He |
| road at 6am. | | | | signed from Aussie club Wests Tigers in 2008. |
| A company spokesman said: "It was unprovoked. | | | | Last season he made 28 appearances and scored |
| The man left his vehicle in our car park and was | | | | 15 tries. This season he played 28 times and |
| walking across the road to start his shift when he | | | | scored seven tries. |