Former NRL star Manase Fainu has been handed a prison sentence after being convicted of stabbing a church leader outside a Sydney Mormon event in 2019. The 25-year-old, once a rising talent in rugby league, will now spend years behind bars for the violent attack.
A Promising Career Cut Short
Fainu, who played for the Manly Sea Eagles, was considered a future star before his career was derailed by the incident. The court heard how the athlete stabbed the victim in the back during a brawl outside a church dance, leaving the man with life-threatening injuries.
Shocking Prison Statement
From his prison cell, Fainu made a surprising declaration about his three brothers – all professional rugby players themselves. "My brothers will carry my legacy on the field," the disgraced athlete stated, referring to his siblings who currently play in Australia's NRL and Super League competitions.
The Fateful Night
Details emerged during the trial of how the attack unfolded after tensions escalated at a church event in Sydney's west. Witnesses described Fainu as the aggressor in the confrontation that left the church leader with a punctured lung.
Fallout and Sentencing
Judge Nanette Williams sentenced Fainu to eight years in prison with a non-parole period of four years and three months, stating the attack was "cowardly" and "unprovoked". The sentence marks a dramatic fall from grace for the former athlete who once earned $500,000 per season.
Family's Football Legacy
Fainu's three brothers – Sione, Latu and Eukaliti – continue to play professional rugby league. The imprisoned star's statement suggests he sees his siblings as carrying forward the family's sporting reputation while he serves his sentence.
