Many Sea Eagles hooker Manase Fainu has denied ever stabbing anyone outside a Sydney church dance, saying he heard the words "knife knife" and ran away to protect himself.
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"You didn't stop to check for your friends?" crown prosecutor Emma Curran asked Fainu in Parramatta District Court on Monday.
"I was scared for my own safety," he said.
The 24-year-old is accused of stabbing Faamanu Levi outside the Mormon charity event causing the youth leader to suffer internal bleeding and a collapsed lung.
Fainu has pleaded not guilty to wounding Mr Levi with intent to cause grievous bodily harm at Wattle Grove late at night on October 25, 2019.
The NRL player in the witness box denied any involvement in two altercations that evening that culminated in the stabbing.
When the violent brawl erupted outside the event organised by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fainu said he backed right away.
"I started back peddling, walking backwards," he said.
He said he watched the fighting for about a minute or two, and ran away "scared for myself".
"Were any words shouted?" defence barrister Margaret Cunneen SC asked.
"That's why I ran. I heard 'knife, knife'," Fainu said.
Wearing a sling after shoulder surgery, Fainu said he felt "a bit depressed, bit down," that evening not knowing whether he'd play football again.
Earlier he had been at a Guildford barbecue when his friend Uona Faingaa, known as "Big Buck," asked him to drive so he could pick up money owed from a concreter he worked with.
Fainu was not drinking and drove Big Buck and three others to the event, but waited outside.
"I felt a little bit inappropriate, it was a church dance and ... I was wearing a long black tracksuit," he said.
After about 10 to 15 minutes he noticed Big Buck and two others being escorted outside, following a fight on the dancefloor.
"I said sorry to the security guard for their behaviour and then we walked out," Fainu said.
Before driving away Big Buck was angry and said 'I didn't get f***ing paid', he said.
Fainu was told to drive to a Coles car park and then offered to retrieve the cash, saying his friend would not be allowed back inside.
CCTV footage played for the court showed four men following Fainu, who draped a white towel around his head.
This "security blanket" doused in cold water was because he had a headache, not to hide his identity.
He led them to a fence to jump over, saying it was easier than walking around to the front gate.
On the way to the chapel the brawl erupted about 10-15 metres away from him, he said.
He denied holding, seeing, or knowing of a weapon being brought that evening.
After fleeing back over the fence he waited for the others to get back to the car, and asked what happened.
"They said nothing," he said.
Fainu said he still doesn't know who stabbed Mr Levi, who also did not see his attacker.
Ms Curran asked Fainu why he felt such responsibility to go and retrieve Big Buck's money.
"I was the driver, I was a good friend. If I drive him there I drive him back," he said.
Driving away Big Buck said "wow what a fight" and Fainu responded that "I didn't see much," he said.
Following the incident Fainu says he has not spoken to this good family friend or any others in the group due to his bail conditions.
The court was previously told Fainu was inside the church and involved in the first dancefloor fight before being led out.
Later during the car park melee Tony Quach said he pushed Fainu who was wearing a distinctive sling, before the footballer plunged a steak knife into Mr Levi's back.
The trial continues.
Australian Associated Press
