Ex Sharks player remains in
custody

Sacked New Zealand-born Cronulla rugby league player Jason Williams remains in custody following a brief appearance on assault charges at the Sydney Local District Court in Sydney today.

Williams, 23, who faces two charges after allegedly beating a former teammate was again remanded without plea. He will make another court appearance on August 10.

Police allege the former Aucklander assaulted Cronulla teammate and fellow New Zealander Jeremy Smith in a local nightclub on June 13.

A feud between the pair, who once played together for New Zealand Maori, has been festering since 1998.

Williams was charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm after Smith suffered a broken jaw and severe bruising during an altercation in the nightclub's toilet area.

He is also accused on assaulting Smith on the Cronulla team bus during a pre-season tour on February 7.

The National Rugby League (NRL) club terminated Williams' contract after the nightclub incident, effectively ending a promising first grade career.

Williams, a prop, made his first grade debut this year. Smith played in the reserve grade team but is out for the rest of the season due to the injuries he sustained.