Vainikolo trial begins
Vainikolo, 30, (pictured) punched Jake Alicker once to the head a short distance from the Second Bridge nightclub in Bath in the early hours of October 26 last year, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Winger Vainikolo, from Cheltenham, was subsequently charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm, to which he previously pleaded not guilty.
Opening the case, prosecutor William Hunter told the jury the victim was out with friends, including a man called Luke Weaver on the night of the alleged attack.
Earlier in the evening, the men saw Vainikolo, who appeared in the dock dressed in a blue suit and black tie, in Adventure Bar and congratulated him on scoring two tries for Gloucester that day.
Later in the evening, at the Second Bridge nightclub Mr Alicker and Mr Weaver saw Vainikolo with fellow rugby players Olly Barkley, who was his team mate at the time but now plays for Bath.
He was also with Matthew Stevens, Michael Lipman and Justin Harrison who all played for Bath RFC at the time but are no longer with the club.
Mr Hunter told the jury: "Mr Alicker and Mr Weaver are clearly rugby fans as they clearly recognised the defendant and the men.
"They described the atmosphere as good, and everyone was having a good time. Jack Alicker had a shot of alcohol with the defendant, he thinks the defendant even bought him that shot."
The pair left the club soon after and spotted the rugby players in the street.
Mr Hunter continued: "They were behind the defendant, and they say nothing was said to him. The defendant just turned and punched Mr Alicker hard to the head. There was no reason for that."
Mr Hunter said a taxi driver nearby witnessed Vainikolo punch the victim in the face once before leaving the scene.
Mr Hunter went on: "Mr Alicker was injured, there was blood coming from his ear. Mr Weaver put him into the recovery position.
"Police and paramedics attended, and he was taken to hospital, where it was discovered he had a fractured skull."
Mr Hunter said police went to the home of England player Olly Barkley, who answered the door.
Vainikolo, who was in the kitchen, then gave police a false name – that of Bath RFC player Shontayne Hape – before he was cautioned and taken to Bath police station.
Mr Hunter went on: "When he was being booked in, he made a remark 'it was racial'.
"Later the same day he was interviewed, he was asked about what he was doing and made no comment to each and every question."
Mr Hunter concluded: "He was not acting in self defence. For whatever reason he unlawfully inflicted really serious injury on Mr Alicker."
Vainikolo, who was supported in court by his wife Sienna, who sat in the public gallery dressed in a black cardigan and grey top, was out of action most of last season after undergoing surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The trial continues today and is expected to last three to four days.
