NRL Cowboys star Luciano Leilua proposes to partner he allegedly assaulted – and she says yes

North Queensland Cowboys forward Luciano Leilua is now engaged to the long-term partner police allege he assaulted on October 3.

Leilua proposed to his partner Dora, the mother of their child Ida-Lynn, in Paris, France over the weekend with the Eiffel Tower as their backdrop.

‘She said YES in the city of love! Merci Paris for the memories #Mafamille #alwaysbeenus,’ he posted on Instagram.

Leilua is scheduled to appear in court on May 18 to face two domestic violence assault charges.

Police have alleged Leilua assaulted a 26-year-old woman known to him at a home in Harrington Park, southwest Sydney and have laid two charges against him, including one for allegedly smashing her mobile phone.

Leilua was consequently excluded from the Samoan team that stormed into the World Cup final against Australia and is banned from competing in the NRL under the code’s no-fault stand down policy.

The family share a photo after an NRL game this year. Leilua joined the Cowboys mid-season from Wests Tigers

Leilua is challenging the charges and his partner has refused to make a statement against the Cowboys star.

His high-profile lawyer Elias Tabchouri is now pushing for the scheduled hearing to be brought forward in an attempt to ensure Leilua can start the NRL season with the Cowboys on March 4 against the Canberra Raiders.

‘His partner [Dora] has made it clear she doesn’t want to go ahead with it,’ Tabchouri told News Corp.

‘Everyone accepts domestic violence is very serious and everyone accepts the stance taken by the NRL is fine in certain circumstances.

‘However there has to be discretion attached as well. You can’t have a mandatory, blanket approach.

‘That discretion has to be regulated by a number of factors including [Covid-related] delays that are outside the normal delays for the adjudication of matters, the attitude of the complainant, the non-criminal history of the player and the fact he is denying the charges.

The happy family pose for a selfie after Dora accepted the marriage proposal and shows off the engagement ring

‘Where is the presumption of innocence in all this?’ 

‘His partner refuses to make or sign a formal statement against him to police and indicated on the day she did not wish to proceed with the matter,’ Tabchouri said.

‘These facts need to come into play. We will endeavour to communicate with the police and we will be taking it up with the NRL with a view to allowing him to continue with his football career.’

The couple celebrate Ida-Lynn’s birthday earlier this year with this Instagram snap 

News Corp questioned the lawyer on whether the engagement in Paris was a stunt performed by the couple in a bid to influence the court’s decision.  

‘They have a child together,’ he said.

‘They have been committed to each other for a very long time. This isn’t an overnight relationship or a stunt.

‘From my observation their commitment is unquestioned.’

A spokesman for the NRL said: ‘The no-fault stand down condition will remain in place until the matter is determined by the court or withdrawn.’