Ex-NRL prodigy lashed for ‘foolish’ cop tussle
An embattled former rugby league prodigy has been lashed as “very, very foolish” by a magistrate after he ran from police in a botched escape attempt that ended in a bloody tussle.
Arana Taumata was leaving Coogee Pavilion at 10.30pm on October 19 when police officers recognised him as having an outstanding warrant for domestic violence charges, the court heard.
They took the 35-year-old aside and asked him for identification, but the court documents reveal he provided false information.
One of the officers noticed the former NRL player was looking around and “scoping out potential escape routes” and signalled to the others to approach.
Before they could get close, Taumata used his stiff arm to palm the police officer in the chest and shove him backwards three steps.
The former five-eighth then sprinted down Dolphin St in Coogee while five police officers gave chase.
“Stop, you’re under arrest,” one cop called as they ran.
One of the officers tackled Taumata, who threw his arms and legs about wildly in an attempt to break free from his hold.
Three more police officers joined in the wrestling melee and, between the four of them, they managed to secure Taumata’s arms behind his back while the fifth officer handcuffed him.
During the struggle, the 29-year-old officer who tackled Taumata sustained a large gash near his eye that produced a “significant amount” of blood and required four stitches.
Taumata appeared in Waverley Local Court on Monday to plead guilty to the offence of resisting the officer in the execution of his duty, and to be sentenced.
His lawyer Wilson Tighe told the court the former rugby league player “obviously was nervous” about his outstanding warrants when he decided to attempt to outrun the police.
He noted the 35-year-old had a criminal record dating back to 2011, but this was his first time in custody.
“This has been a significant experience for him,” Mr Tighe said.
The police prosecutor said the offence was on the more serious end of the spectrum because it involved an “extended wrestle where he attempted to break free several times”.
Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge told Taumata he was “just so foolish” for thinking he could outrun police without any consequences.
“They know exactly where you are and they know exactly how to find you,” she scolded him.
“You were very, very foolish and this was a serious encounter.”
The magistrate sentenced Taumata to a 18-month community corrections order and ordered him to behave himself.
The former NRL player’s sentence will expire in April 2026.
During a disrupted playing career, he played a combined 14 NRL games for Canterbury, North Queensland and Penrith between 2008 and 2012.
The five-eighth was sacked by the Broncos, Roosters, Bulldogs, Melbourne and he was let go by the Panthers in 2013 due to off-field issues.
