Ex-Penrith Panthers and Cowboys footy star arrested after alleged foot chase with police in Sydney

A former NRL star was reportedly arrested following an alleged foot chase with police in Sydney on Saturday night.

Ex-Bulldogs and Penrith star Arana Taumata was remanded in custody by police at approximately 10.30pm after he was approached by officers due to several outstanding warrants, according to News Corp.

Police say the 35-year-old had ran away from officers but was eventually arrested outside of an eastern suburbs pub following a short chase.

One 29-year-old offer is alleged to have hit his head during the incident and suffered a cut. The officer was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

News Corp say the former Penrith and Bulldogs star is charged with four counts of domestic violence warrants. 

The outlet adds he was also charged with hindering and resisting a police officer in the execution of their duty.

The former footy player appeared before Parramatta court on Sunday, where he was refused bail. He will now remain in jail on remand.

It comes after warrants were issued for his arrest in June. Taumata, who was born in New Zealand, had been convicted of seven offences in his absence having pleaded not guilty to fraud, dealing with the proceeds of crime, common assault and intimidation.

News Corp state that his set to appear in court on those charges this week.

Taumata, who also represented New Zealand Maori, made his NRL debut with the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2008.

Police say the 35-year-old had ran away from officers but was eventually arrested outside of an eastern suburbs pub following a short chase 

Taumata enjoyed a short-lived NRL career with Canterbury, Penrith and the Cowboys

He would later join Melbourne Storm but was dismissed by the club without playing a single game, following a ‘physical altercation’ in the city.

Taumata would later be signed by Wests Tigers and would go on to play for the Queensland Cowboys, before joining Penrith on a one-year deal in 2011.

He would make two appearances for Penrith before leaving the club in 2013.

He had claimed that he had, ‘no support from the club . . . I felt let down in many ways.’

During the course of his playing career he’d go on to play 14 first grade NRL matches.

Earlier this year, Taumata made headlines after he saved a young woman in distress in Brisbane.

It came after the 35-year-old had been on a lunchtime run, but sprung into action when he saw a woman lying on the ground after being confronted by a man who had knocked her over.

In recent years, Taumata has become a running and fitness inflencer on social media and boasts 24,500 followers on Instagram.