Ex-NRL player Robati set to face trial on rape charges

Former NRL player Teui 'TC' Robati will face trial in July on two counts of rape.

At least one of the counts refers to an alleged assault of a woman in a Brisbane bar in December 2022.

Robati has previously denied he assaulted the woman and claimed the encounter was consensual.

The 22-year-old was axed by the Brisbane Broncos in February 2023, before the NRL season started.

Teui Robati playing for the Broncos (file image)
Teui Robati was a second-rower for the Brisbane Broncos.

The case was briefly mentioned in Brisbane District Court on Wednesday to set a date for the trial.

An agent for Robati's defence lawyers sought a date in June to begin an estimated three-day trial.

The crown prosecutor sought a trial date from July onwards and Robati's defence agent suggested July 22 or later.

Judge Brad Farr ordered the trial to begin in the week starting July 22.

Robati is on bail and was not required to attend court.

Judge Paul Smith earlier this month granted an application for the alleged victim to be treated as a special witness and ordered that she pre-record her evidence.

The criteria for being declared a special witness can include if the person due to give evidence would be likely to suffer severe emotional trauma or would be likely to be so intimidated as to be disadvantaged as a witness.

As a special witness, the woman will give evidence and be cross-examined by Robati's barrister.

Her testimony, estimated at two hours in length, will be recorded on video at a hearing before the trial begins.

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