A former Leeds Rhinos forward is facing ‘serious criminal charges’ in an Australian court next month according to reports Down Under.
As reported by The Western Weekender, former Rhinos forward Zane Tetevano will hear charges in a Wyong court in August with the 34-year-old also scheduled to appear a day later.
That second scheduled date comes in regards an AVO (Apprehended Violence Order) with Tetevano having previously been sentenced to 18 months in jail for a number of assaults on a former partner.
Tetevano did not serve any jail time back then as the 18-month sentence was reduced on appeal. The sentence came during his time in the NRL with the former New Zealand international then joining Leeds Rhinos ahead of the 2021 season, going on to make 48 appearances.
The latest reports from the Western Weekender state that Tetevano is “dealing with serious criminal charges and faces sentencing in court at Wyong next month”.
They also report that he’ll answer an application for an AVO against him as well.
Ex-Leeds Rhinos man Zane Tetevano in court
Tetevano left Leeds Rhinos at the end of the 2023 season with a serious health scare cutting short his playing time at Headingley.
In May 2023, he suffered a stroke and it was discovered that he had a hole in his heart, something which required surgery.
He was able to return to training but was forced to call time on his career that same year before then making a shock return in 2024 when back Down Under.
Tetevano signed with Canterbury Bulldogs ahead of the 2024 campaign but wouldn’t play a game for them as his professional rugby league career came to a close aged 33.
Speaking in 2023 about his health scare, Tetevano said: “I think I was the first one out on the field and had a spring in my step ready to crack on with my session. I was just in my warm up period and I started slurring my words.
“I missed about like three plays off in the drill, just basic drills like three v two. And I remember just speaking to a teammate of mine and just the response that I was getting, you know, just slurring my words.
“Then I just couldn’t feel my tongue, my mouth and I think that’s when everything started, you know, the episode kicking in.
“I was kicking the ground and stuff like that, just standing up and then obviously having having the medical staff there and obviously our staff as well to be there and knowing what was going on.
“Then obviously the ambulance and that came. So it was quite a fast period, but at the same time a safe period as well. So I’d say thanks to everyone at the club.
“Yeah, you know, look, it was a scary episode. I think you just don’t know what was going on until you just realise you get told you’ve had a stroke.
“I guess everyone knows me around here, that I’m a quite active person. I like my training, so it’s kind of a bit of a shock. It was kind of like that unreal feeling.
“I’ve come out on the right side at the LGI and all the nurses and that who got the medicines that I need from pretty much the get-go.”
