Faiumu charged with assault 

New Zealand international rugby league player David Faiumu has been charged over an alleged assault in central Queensland.

The North Queensland Cowboys player has been charged with grievous bodily harm in relation to an alleged altercation with a 23-year-old man in Rockhampton's CBD late last year.

Faiumu, 24, was interviewed on Tuesday by Rockhampton detectives who flew to Townsville.

Police said the men were allegedly involved in an altercation on William Street, Rockhampton on November 24.

A police spokesperson said the 23-year-old man suffered facial injuries and later underwent surgery on his eye socket at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

Faiumu's lawyer Campbell Maccallum said his client was shaken but confident of not being convicted of an offence.

"Obviously David's a little bit rattled at the moment," he told ABC Radio.

"He's taken it well of course, he understands that the police have a job to do and he's co-operated completely with them.

"He's been told he has the complete backing of his club and that he's just to go about his business as usual."

Faiumu is expected to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on January 22.

Comment is being sought from his NRL club North Queensland.

Faiumu, from Wellington, has played 11 Tests for New Zealand including the 24-0 win over Australia in the 2005 Tri-Nations final.

The Cowboys signed him at the end of 2003 and he made his NRL debut against Penrith in Townsville in 2004.

He has played 72 NRL matches.