Former Wallabies winger Tuala Digby Ioane has been remanded in custody after facing court in Brisbane, Australia, over allegations he repeatedly threatened to kill a man over a supposed land deal in Samoa. 

According to Australian news reports, Tuala allegedly became “obsessed” with the man and threatened to kill him between April 22 and April 26. The 40-year-old, who is Samoan and has ties to Leauva’a, told the Brisbane Magistrates Court the case related to a “massive deal” involving the Prime Minister and the Israeli army.

Tuala represented himself on Wednesday afternoon when he applied for bail before Magistrate Anne Thacker.

“[The man] has agreed with the Prime Minister of Samoa to agree on a $100 million [deal] with Israel to bring over their army,” Tuala told the court. “For me, my Mum is the rightful queen of Samoa, I’m just protecting her land.” 

In a 2023 interview with the Samoa Observer, Tuala said he was moving back to Samoa after receiving the Tuala title.

His older brother, Sala, spoke on his behalf and told the court he had wanted Tuala checked for mental health concerns, including possible issues from head knocks sustained during his rugby career. The court heard Tuala had been in hospital but had since been discharged.

The prosecution opposed bail, arguing there were concerns Tuala would not behave appropriately if released.

“To be honest, your honour, this kid won’t even kill a fly,” Sala told the court. “I grew up with him … I’ve travelled to France to look after him in his career, and … at the time when this was happening, it’s called mental health to me.

“He was just upset at the time, and he said some things at the time, and I had warned him,” Sala said Tuala had spoken out of anger.

“Believe me, on the field he’s a warrior, but in person he’s not that sort of person,” he said.

Magistrate Thacker refused bail, saying the evidence against Tuala was too serious to risk releasing him.

“You became obsessed with this person, and the evidence from the complainant is that you’ve been threatening to kill him over and over and over again,” she said.

“Until some better information about you is discovered, or you are on medication, you’re an unacceptable risk of reoffending, and it’s unsafe for the alleged victim.

“So you’ll have to stay in custody, but get on some medication as soon as you can, that might make a difference.”

The matter was adjourned to 8 June. 

Tuala played 35 Tests for Australia between 2007 and 2013 and also represented the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby. He was born in New Zealand and moved to Melbourne when he was two, before later moving to Brisbane, where he attended St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace.