A RISING rugby league star who violently attacked his ex-girlfriend in a drunken jealous rage has faced court.

South Sydney Rabbitohs wing Kirisome Auva'a was in Melbourne for a friend's wedding when he turned up at his former girlfriend's home and attacked her.

The 22-year-old slipped unnoticed into Melbourne Magistrates Court today where he pleaded guilty to charges of recklessly causing injury and criminal damage.

The court heard he had been at a friend's wedding before arriving at his former girlfriend's home about 1.40am on January 18.

The pair had recently split following a three year relationship and she told Auva'a he could sleep on her couch, sparking his violent outburst.

The court heard Auva'a flew into a rage, waking terrified housemates who phoned 000, before attacking his ex-girlfriend.

He pushed her over, punched holes in walls at the home and swung her into a garage wall, fleeing before police arrived.

In a Victim Impact Statment read to the court Auva'a's victim said while she suffered minor physical damage she had been left emotionally scarred.

"I am still so hurt and confused how someone I thought honestly loved me could hurt me the way he did," she said.

"I still believe he is a good person deep down."

Auva'a, who made his NRL debut this year having previously trained with Melbourne Storm, was arrested and charged by police shortly after the attack.

In a record of interview he told police he didn't mean to hurt his ex-girlfriend, the court heard.

He also said he knew abusing women was wrong.

Auva'a's lawyer told the court he had stopped drinking and started meditating following the attack.

He said the club had been quick to discipline Auva'a, imposing a $2000 fine and suspending him for 7 days.

Rabbitohs football manager Mark Ellison supported Auva'a in court today.

In trying to persuade Magistrate Kate Hawkins not to record a conviction against Auva'a his lawyer said he had a troubled upbringing and had suffered depression.

He said while there was no excuse for his client's behaviour, Auva'a had been left heartbroken by the breakdown of the relationship, describing it as the "only real relationship" he had ever had.

Auva'a had hoped to get back together with his ex-girlfriend. Instead he saw the woman with another man at the wedding he had attended earlier that night and had become enraged.

"He's angry, upset. He's done something he has clearly regretted from that day forward," he said.

Magistrate Hawkins said there was no excusing the assault telling Auva'a "it's men like you that need to stand up" to domestic violence.

Instead of imposing a sentence today Ms Hawkins deferred her decision for six months.

She ordered Auva'a to participate in a men's behavioural program and asked him to consider singing on as a White Ribbon ambassador to combat violence against women.

Auva'a was bailed to return to court on November 7.

Originally published as NRL star bashed woman after wedding