Brain fears for former Kiwi

Photo: Lawrence Smith

HEALTH FEARS: Paul Whatuira, when he played for the Wests Tigers.

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Police called for back-up and used a Taser gun to subdue Paul Whatuira after he allegedly battered two men in a main street.

The former Kiwis star, who now plays for Super League side Huddersfield Giants, was later admitted to a secure psychiatric hospital where he has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

His parents Malcolm and Taurima Whatuira have made a mercy dash from their home in Wellington to West Yorkshire to support their son and his pregnant fiancee Vanessa.

Family friend Ken Laban – who has known the ex-Warriors, Melbourne, Penrith and Wests Tigers player since he was a youngster – said the alleged violent outburst was completely out of character. Laban feared it could be related to a head injury.

Whatuira, 28, was stood down by Huddersfield for three weeks in June after suffering migraines.
“The only thing I can think of... is that he did get bashed around a bit [on the field] and there might have been something leaking in the brain,’’ Laban told Sunday News.

Leading sports medic John Mayhew, the Warriors doctor, said there was no doubt a head injury could be behind Whatuira’s alleged actions, given his sidelining for migraines.

Both men believe Whatuira should have brain scans.

Mayhew told Sunday News: "If I was managing him, with that sort of information, you would want a CT scan, and MRI scan of his head, to see if there was some medical reason for his change of behaviour.

"In a footballer, one reason could be a bleed caused by a collision. Also, young men can get brain tumours.

"Obviously, there is concern medically that there may be some underlying brain injury which could account for his behaviour change. It is very reasonable to do that," Mayhew said.

The alleged bashings took place about 6am on Tuesday (English time), shortly after Whatuira reportedly checked himself out of a Huddersfield hospital which specialises in neurological and mental health treatment. One of his alleged victims was set upon after parking his car and walking towards his work at Huddersfield engineering company TWL.

A company spokesperson said: "He has a broken nose, missing front teeth and other severe dental problems. He was also left badly traumatised. The man had left his vehicle in our car park and was walking across the road to start his shift when he was set upon."

Police later arrested Whatuira. He is now in a psychiatric hospital in nearby Bradford and could be held for up to 28 days under the Mental Health Act.

At the time of Whatuira's sidelining, Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown said of his headaches: "There's no doubt it's a bit of a concern.

"Fatz has been getting some bad migraines related to blood pressure and until we find out exactly what's causing it, he won't be taking part. He's obviously gone for tests and until we get those results back we just don't know what's happening." An initial scan revealed no serious damage, and Whatuira was cleared to return to the field.

Whatuira, who started his career at Wellington club Wainuiomata, starred for the Giants, who made it to the Challenge Cup grand final where they lost to Warrington.

Whatuira's predicament has shocked his Huddersfield team-mates.

A club source described him as "one of the nicest guys around and liked by everybody at the club and throughout the game".

Fellow Giants star and ex-Kiwi Jamahl Lolesi wrote in a recent blog: "We call Fatz the Black Cat because he's quiet and wily, and no one ever really knows what he's up to.

"Having a baby and getting engaged is obviously good news but I'm afraid it spells the end of the good times I used to spend with my former room-mate."

Huddersfield club boss Richard Thewlis said: "Paul and his family have the full medical support of the club available to them at this difficult time."

Fans and wellwishers have flooded Huddersfield's HQ with flowers and cards. A source said: "I understand he is undergoing tests and scans which could take a few weeks.

Only very close members of his family can visit him."

Police said charges were yet to be laid.