A former NRL player acquitted of rape has admitted groping a woman on a night out with Brisbane players, prompting teammate Patrick Carrigan to intervene.
Teui "TC" Robati, 23, has been sentenced to probation for sexually assaulting the woman at a bar in a "creepy" incident witnessed by former Broncos skipper Carrigan.
The ex-NRL backrower made the admission minutes after being found not guilty of two counts of raping a different woman in another incident days earlier.
Robati on Wednesday pleaded guilty to indecently groping a 21-year-old woman's breast at a Brisbane bar on the night of December 21, 2022.
His then-teammate - Queensland State of Origin forward Carrigan - saw Robati assault the woman and stepped in to stop him, Brisbane District Court was told.
Judge William Everson told Robati his offending was "brazen and quite frankly creepy", leaving the victim feeling completely violated.
"Your conduct demonstrates a very disrespectful attitude toward women," Judge Everson said.
Robati had earlier been on trial charged with rape over the separate incident.
Robati on Monday pleaded not guilty to raping a woman twice in the disabled toilet of a pub in the inner-Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley on December 11, 2022.
Defence barrister David Funch had told the jury it was accepted Robati had sexual contact with the woman after exposing himself but he thought he had consent.
"It's poor behaviour but poor behaviour does not make you a rapist," Mr Funch said.
The jury had deliberated for nine hours since Tuesday following a trial lasting one-and-a-half days.
Robati made his NRL debut in 2021 after shining for Brisbane affiliate club Wynnum-Manly in the Queensland Cup.
He played 10 NRL games in 2021 and backed it up with a further seven in 2022 after making that year's Maori All Stars team.
The New Zealand-born forward had signed an extension until the end of 2024 but was axed by the Broncos in February 2023, before the NRL season started.
Mr Funch had earlier told Judge Everson Robati had "lost everything" and was working in road construction and food packaging.
"He remains hopeful of resuming his professional career and he has been in discussion with one other NRL team located in Sydney," Mr Funch said.
"He has been informed by his manager that once these charges are finalised then he can resume his hopes of a professional career."
Mr Funch asked Judge Everson not to record a conviction against Robati owing to his disadvantaged background while growing up in New Zealand.
"He was a young man thrust into the limelight, all of a sudden enjoying fame and fortune, lined with the attention of others combined with alcohol," he said.
"In the surreal position with fame at such a young age he was not equipped to handle himself appropriately."
In sentencing, Judge Everson said he needed to send a message society condemned those who assaulted women.
"That you felt entitled to sexually assault a woman is most concerning," he said.
Judge Everson said he was reluctant to affect Robati's rehabilitation and did not record a conviction for his "reprehensible behaviour".
"You are still a young man, you are hoping to rehabilitate yourself and resurrect your football career," he said.
Robati walked from court after being sentenced to a two-year probation order.
His legal representative outside court said Robati thanked the jury for its rape trial verdict and he was ready to move on with his life.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
