CHARGES will not be pressed against a rugby star arrested after two men were hurt in street attacks, it emerged last night.

Huddersfield Giants player Paul Whatuira was arrested last month after two men were attacked in Longroyd Bridge.

One of the victims suffered severe facial injuries including a broken nose, missing teeth and other damaged teeth.

It is understood that Whatuira, 28, was being treated at St Luke’s Hospital in Crosland Moor at the time, but had left the hospital shortly before the attacks.

Police took the New Zealand international to a mental health unit in Bradford after his arrest.

A police spokeswoman said yesterday that a 28-year-old man had been released from hospital on October 26. He was questioned by police on November 3.

The spokeswoman said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has advised us not to take any further action.”

Whatuira – known as Fatz to his teammates – has been to see his club and international colleagues since his release.

It emerged yesterday that he has been seen watching his Huddersfield Giants teammates training and also met up with the Kiwis.

His manager, Australia-based Sam Ayoub previously revealed that Whatuira was excited about becoming a dad in the coming months and sounded fine just days before the bizarre sequence of events which led to his arrest.

His New Zealand team – the current world champions – were knocked out of the Rugby League Four Nations on Saturday at the Galpharm Stadium by an England side which starred his Giants teammate Eorl Crabtree.

England play Australia in the final on Saturday at Leeds United’s Elland Road ground.

Whatuira joined the Giants from Australian National Rugby League club Wests Tigers two years ago.

Mr Ayoub has described Whatuira as ‘a quiet and reserved person with a mild nature.’

He added: “He was keen for me to meet his fiancee who is expecting their first child. He was extremely excited about becoming a father.

“I have had many of his friends contact me to ask about him as this has come as a huge shock. Paul is definitely not a malicious person so obviously something is very, very wrong.”

After his arrest, Whatuira was taken from Huddersfield Police Station to the secure unit in Bradford for a full mental health assessment. Only very close family members visited him there.

It remains unclear what sparked the dramatic events which led to his arrest, but Whatuira missed two games in the summer after complaining of serious headaches.

He resumed playing when scans showed no obvious problems.