Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Alleged assault on Timani was Mafi's third altercation with a colleague

GettyImages-879219580

Amanaki Mafi’s alleged assault on Lopeti Timani in Dunedin appears to be the third incident of its kind during his brief professional rugby career.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Rebels handed down ‘financial sanctions’ to the both players for breaching team protocols and team management instructions – after their sides loss to the Highlanders last Saturday.

Mafi was granted bail, after being charged with assaulting his teammate, Timani – who received ‘moderate’ injuries.

Rugby Australia said Mafi was taken into police custody after an altercation with Timani in Dunedin.

The 28-year-old appeared in Dunedin District Court on Monday charged with assault with intent to injure, an offence that carries a potential jail term of five years.

The case will come before the courts again on August 3, although Mafi was excused from having to appear personally on that date.

Under the Rebels’ disciplinary protocol, each player has been fined the maximum AU$15,000.

“Notwithstanding that both Amanaki Mafi and Lopeti Timani were finishing at the Rebels this season and heading overseas to continue their playing careers, it is only appropriate, given the seriousness of the incident, to sanction both players with a significant fine,” Rebels Chief Executive Officer, Baden Stephenson. said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Along with the Rebels Board, coach David Wessels and club management, we have strived this year to re-build a culture which values respect and excellence in everything we do.

“The actions of these two players is totally contrary to our franchise’s values and has tarnished the excellent work of so many in the club, both on and off the field this season.

“I only hope that both Amanaki and Lopeti genuinely reflect on and learn from this very troubling incident.

“The franchise has supported both players over recent days and will continue to ensure their well being now and into the future.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Continue reading below…

Video Spacer

However, more incidents are coming to light regarding Mafi’s behaviour.

Mafi left Bath after a confrontation with a physio at the club in 2016. At the time Bath said Mafi was leaving the club early by “mutual agreement”. It however emerged that Mafi and the physio had an altercation after a disagreement over an appointment.

It has also now transpired that Mafi had an altercation with Rebels and Wallaby teammate Marika Koroibete in Cape Town early this year. The incident was said to have been dealt with in-house.

Regarding the latest incident, legal proceedings will be followed by possible sanctions by Rugby Australia, who are conducting their own investigation.

The AU$30,000 in fines will be donated to the Rugby Victoria Quilt program – an education and participation program designed to use Rugby as the vehicle to prevent domestic violence, create inclusive sport and recreation environments to ensure that both women and children are not only safe, but respected and treated as equals.

Mafi now faces the prospect of being released from his Japanese Top League – NTT Shining Arcs. Japanese sides are known to take a very dim view of any criminal incidents – whether convictions are secured or not.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 32 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

41 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline? Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?
Search