St George Illawarra says it will stand by Wes Naiqama while the promising rugby league player appeals against 12 months periodic detention for driving while disqualified.

A Sydney court sentenced Naiqama to a maximum of 12 months periodic detention, with a non-parole period of six months, for his fourth driving while disqualified conviction.

He is expected to serve his periodic detention on Wednesdays and Thursdays from March 8, leaving him free to play in the NRL at weekends.

Naiqama's licence was suspended until 2013 after he was caught driving while disqualified in 2005.

But Waverley Local Court was told he got behind the wheel last November 17 because he was emotionally distressed after his girlfriend, pop singer Paulini Curuenavuli, underwent an undisclosed medical procedure in a Surry Hills hospital.

Naiqama, 24, was photographed in the act by The Daily Telegraph.

In his submission to Magistrate Chris Longley, Naiqama's lawyer Les Nicholls said "exceptional circumstances" led the footballer to drive.

Mr Nicholls told the court Naiqama had been driven to Surry Hills by Paulini - who attended court - to support her through the medical procedure.

However, Mr Nicholls said Paulini was given an anaesthetic and doctors advised she was no longer capable of driving.

Mr Nicholls said the medical procedure had caused Naiqama "particular emotional stress at the time", spurring him to act.

"Because she couldn't drive, he drove her home," he said.

Earlier, Mr Nicholls had called Naiqama an "excellent, committed, professional athlete" of "exceptional character", whose only "blemish was a merry-go-round of statutory disqualifications".

"This offender's behaviour can be addressed, it is not a hopeless case," Mr Nicholls said in appealing for a suspended sentence.

The personal consequences of a jail term to Naiqama's career "far outweighed the criminality involved", he argued.

But in sentencing Naiqama, Mr Longley referred to his "extraordinary driving record" that suggested a "somewhat cavalier attitude" to the court.

Mr Longley acknowledged there would be significant loss to Naiqama's "prowess as a sportsman" should he be given a jail term, but said any loss was secondary to driver and pedestrian safety.

"It seems to me there has been over a period now of five years when this accused has not complied with the directions of the court," Mr Longley said.

"It indicates a thought process that the person will drive when he wants to drive."

Mr Longley suspended Naiqama's licence for a further two years, meaning the Fijian representative is now forbidden from driving until August 2015.

A statement from the St George Illawarra club said there would be an appeal against the severity of the sentence, to be heard in the Downing Centre District Court on May 22.

"At this stage", Naiqama would continue to train and play with the Dragons, the club said.

"Given that this is still a judicial matter before the courts it is not appropriate for the club to make any further comment," the statement said.

Naiqama has been warned before by the St George Illawarra club about driving while disqualified, and faced the sack last December after being caught up in a brawl at a Kings Cross nightclub.

However, Naiqama's off-field indiscretions are in stark contrast to the upward trajectory of his rugby league career.

Last year, the winger and centre starred for the Dragons and Fiji, and was named developing nations player of the year after helping guide the Pacific Island nation to the 2008 World Cup.

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