Former NRL Star Arrested After Foot Chase with Police in Sydney
On Saturday night, an ex-NRL player, Arana Taumata, was arrested in Sydney following a brief foot pursuit with law enforcement. The incident unfolded around 10:30 PM when police approached the 35-year-old due to several outstanding warrants for his arrest. Taumata, who previously played for teams including the Canterbury Bulldogs and Penrith Panthers, attempted to flee but was ultimately apprehended outside a pub in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
During the chase, a 29-year-old police officer reportedly sustained a head injury and required hospital treatment, where he was reported to be in stable condition. According to reports, Taumata faces multiple charges, including four counts related to domestic violence, as well as resisting and hindering police officers in the performance of their duties.
After his arrest, Taumata appeared in Parramatta Court on Sunday but was denied bail, leading to his remand in custody. The warrants for his arrest had been issued back in June. He had previously been convicted in his absence of seven offenses, including fraud, dealing with the proceeds of crime, common assault, and intimidation, for which he had pleaded not guilty.
Taumata, originally from New Zealand, debuted in the NRL in 2008 with the Canterbury Bulldogs. He had a brief career in the league, also playing for the Penrith Panthers and the North Queensland Cowboys. Although he was signed by the Melbourne Storm, he never played for them due to being dismissed following an incident described as a “physical altercation.”
He later joined the Wests Tigers before moving to the Cowboys and then to Penrith, where he signed a one-year contract in 2011. His time with Penrith was short-lived; he made just two appearances before departing the club in 2013, expressing feelings of being unsupported during his time there.
Throughout his NRL career, Taumata participated in a total of 14 first-grade matches. Earlier this year, he gained attention for a heroic act in Brisbane, where he intervened to assist a young woman who was in distress after being confronted by an assailant.
In recent years, Taumata has transitioned into a fitness influencer, amassing a following of over 24,500 on Instagram, where he shares his running and fitness journey. Despite his past successes in sports, his recent legal troubles have overshadowed his athletic career and personal achievements.
As Taumata awaits further court appearances to address the charges against him, the former athlete’s story serves as a reminder of the complexities that can arise in the lives of public figures after their sports careers conclude.
