Manly hooker Manase Fainu has received bail after two weeks in custody following an alleged stabbing incident at a church dance last month.
The incident allegedly occurred at a Mormon event in the outer Sydney suburb of Wattle Grove where a 24-year-old man was stabbed in the back with a 10cm knife.
Manly coach Des Hasler and several fellow players were among a full room at NSW Supreme Court Tuesday, while Fainu was broadcast in via video link from Parklea Correctional Centre.
Justice Stephen Rothman laid down some conditions, including a ban on alcohol and illicit substances and the surrender of Fainu's passport.
Upon his release from custody, he will continue to train five days a week with Manly but aside from attending medical appoiontments or further court dates, these will be his only outside contact hours unless accompanied by a relative.
Fainu pleaded not guilty to charges including wound with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, described by Justice Rothman as "as close to murder as you can get".
"There are at least three witnesses who are relatively independent who can identify the applicant as the person who wielded the knife," Justice Rothman said of the October 25 incident.
The case will resume on December 16 at Liverpool Local Court.