Former New Zealand Warriors rugby league player Russell Packer has been jailed for two years in Australia for an assault in central Sydney. He has lodged an appeal.
The 24-year-old prop pleaded guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and failing to quit a venue.
The New Zealander was charged after repeatedly punching a man outside a venue at Martin Place in November last year. The incident left his 22-year-old victim unconscious with a fractured eye socket.
Packer's lawyers told the court that their client is having counselling for anger management and alcohol issues. They said while the assault was serious, it was not a king hit.
But the police prosecutor said Packer had plenty of opportunities to walk away from the fight and continued to attack his victim even when he was unconscious on the ground.
