Soccer star will face trial on two counts of rape after allegedly sexually assaulting woman in pub

Former soccer star Teui ‘TC’ Robati will stand trial later this year on two counts of rape.

Robati, who played in the NRL for the Brisbane Broncos, will go to court in July to face at least one allegation of assaulting a woman in a Brisbane bar in December 2022.

The 22-year-old previously denied assaulting the woman and claims the encounter was consensual.

Robati was fired by the Broncos in February 2023, on the eve of the new season.

At a brief hearing in the Brisbane District Court on Wednesday, Judge Brad Farr ordered the trial to begin in the week commencing July 22.

Robati is currently out on bail and was not required to attend court for Wednesday’s hearing.

The alleged victim will be allowed to pre-record her testimony after being granted “special witness” status before trial.

The criteria for being declared a special witness may include circumstances in which the person required to testify is likely to suffer severe emotional trauma or feel so intimidated that his or her testimony as a witness would be disadvantaged.

The woman will testify and will be questioned by Robati’s lawyer.

His testimony is expected to last two hours and will be recorded at a hearing before the trial begins.

“As part of the process to finalize this season’s squad, forward TC Robati has been released from his contract with the club,” the Brisbane Broncos confirmed in their statement last February.

Robati had made just 17 appearances in two seasons with the Broncos.

He was removed from the club in January following the sexual assault charge and another driving matter, which has since been resolved.