There were tears from the victim of an attempted rape by a former South Canterbury representative rugby player as he was sentenced to two years and six months in jail.

John Junior Faavae, of Temuka, was jailed on Thursday on charges of indecent assault and attempted sexual violation by rape.

The victim of his offending was in court along with her family, and burst into tears as the final sentence was handed down.

TETSURO MITOMO/FAIRFAX NZ Former South Canterbury rugby player John Junior Faavae arrives at the Timaru District Court on Thursday.

Judge Joanna Maze told the court Faavae knew the victim.

Maze said on January 24, 2015, Faavae had argued with his then partner, and had been drinking extremely heavily.

The victim was asked by his partner's family to pick him up and take him away.

JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ Junior Faavae about to score a try for South Canterbury in a Heartland Championship match against Poverty Bay in 2016.

The Judge said the victim picked Faavae up and took him to her house.

"She was alone with you, she certainly did not anticipate what was to occur" Maze said.

The victim went to bed and Faavae followed.

He fondled her breasts, kissed her neck and tried to touch her genital area, forcing his hand into her underwear, the judge said.

Maze said when the victim asked him to stop, he did, and the two of them went into her living room and talked for a period of time.

"She went to her room and shut the door. You, however re-entered her room and you refused to leave," the judge said.

The judge told the court Faavae climbed onto her bed, forced her onto her back, forced himself between her legs, touched her breasts and then held her arms down and tried to remove her underwear.

She said the victim was crying by this point, and it seemed Faavae stopped because he acknowledged her distress.

In his submission to the judge, defence counsel Jay Lovely said a report from a rape prevention programme called Project Restore showed a very contrite defendant, who showed "extraordinary remorse".

"It shows the victim doesn't want him to got to jail, even though that isn't really possible, but I say his extraordinary remorse should be taken into account", Lovely said

He told the judge there had been "ongoing contact between the victim and the defendant".

He said a report from a restorative justice conference showed forgiveness from the victim.

Crown prosecutor Nyssa Winchester agreed the restorative justice report had been "very positive".

In her submission, Winchester said in addition to the credit for his guilty plea, Faavae should also be given further credit for making amends and for his remorse.

Judge Maze said she would give Faavae credit for his guilty plea, though he didn't plead guilty at the earliest possible point.

"It seems to me that it was a plea entered at the last possible date and time, and right up until then the victim was obviously of the belief she was going to have to give evidence at the trial. I think a modest, and only a modest, amount of credit [should be given] for releasing her from that", she said.

Maze said she accepted there might be an increased amount of credit for restorative justice.

She told the court the common theme to Faavae's previous offending was his abuse of alcohol and the issue of violence.

The judge began with a sentence of three years and three months, which was reduced by three months for his guilty plea.

She also gave Faavae credit for taking part in the restorative justice process, though she said the conference had been able to go ahead largely because of the "generous attitude of the victim, supported by her family".

"Restorative justice seems to have been helpful to the victim . . . the victim and her family have expressed the view that they do not welcome the prospect of your imprisonment," Maze said.

However "there was simply no other option" other than a sentence of imprisonment.

Faavae was given another six-month reduction in his sentence for having taken part in the restorative justice process, resulting in a final sentence of two years and six months.

Faavae was part of South Canterbury rugby's senior squad in 2016. He wore a South Canterbury Rugby Union blazer and fleece to his sentencing.

South Canterbury Rugby Chairman Ray Teahen said it was "unfortunate Faavae wore the team blazer to court".

"It is for official functions only and unfortunately wearing it has made an association with the South Canterbury team to his offending, which clearly does not exist."