'Roosters suck' sparks Sydney assault

Pubgoer Christopher Downey said "Roosters suck" to NRL player Frank-Paul Nu'uausala outside an eastern Sydney hotel early on Sunday morning.

Moments later, Mr Nu'uausala's friend Mulinuu Unasa punched Mr Downey in the face.

A solemn-looking Unasa pleaded guilty at Waverley Local Court on Monday to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He will be sentenced in December.

Court documents show that after Mr Downey delivered the verbal swipe outside the Golden Sheaf Hotel in Double Bay, Mr Nu'uausala followed the 35-year-old onto the street.

In tow was Unasa, 29.

Mr Downey and Mr Nu'uausala had a verbal altercation at a set of traffic lights and Unasa came up behind his friend and punched Mr Downey in the face, sending him backwards onto the ground.

Mr Nu'uausala and a friend of the victim went to the aid of Mr Downey, who was treated for a broken nose at St Vincent's Hospital.

The court heard Unasa was already on a six-month good behaviour bond for an altercation with a taxi driver.

Unasa was convicted of common assault and not paying a taxi fare in September.

His lawyer Barry Bunton said Unasa admitted to having 10 drinks before throwing the punch but denied to police he was affected by alcohol.

Unasa, who was supported in court by his girlfriend, was granted bail on the condition he not drink alcohol, not contact Mr Downey and live in Maroubra.

The Sydney Roosters said on Sunday they had informed the NRL integrity unit about the assault after learning of Mr Nu'uausala's involvement.