Sione Faumuina failed to attend a hearing at Pontefract Magistrates' Court on Friday – the day after we published a report from Tigers' bosses that the former New Zealand international had been released from his contract and had returned to Australia.

The 28-year-old, of Redhill Road, Castleford, was due to answer a charge of unlawfully and maliciously causing GBH with intent to harm John Hutler at Big Fellas nightclub, on Beastfair, Pontefract, on Sunday February 2 this year.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and when Faumuina failed to attend court, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest.

A police spokesman said investigations are currently ongoing to establish Faumuina's whereabouts and added: "As with anyone wanted on a warrant we would appeal for them to come forward, or anyone with information to their whereabouts to contact police."

A spokesman for the CPS said: "As is the procedure on these matters, once a defendant is arrested under a warrant he will be brought before the courts and the CPS will proceed with the matter accordingly.

"If police inquiries reveal that the defendant is now in another country, we will consider the prospect of extradition at that stage."

David Smart, media manager at Castleford Tigers, told the Express: "Sione was released from his contract with Castleford Tigers and as far as we are aware, he has returned to Australia."

Faumuina joined the Tigers at the start of the 2009 season on a one-year deal from the North Queensland Cowboys.

He started his career with the Canberra Raiders before moving back to his native New Zealand in 2002 to join the Auckland Warriors.

He spent five seasons with the Warriors and during that time came to the UK for a brief stint with Hull FC.

Faumuina also represented his country, winning two international caps in 2003 and 2004, both against Australia.

He played 21 games for the Tigers, in various positions, before missing the last five matches.