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Rebels hand out hefty fines to Mafi and Timani over late night fracas

Tatafu Polota-Nau of the Force talks with Lopeti Timani and Amanaki Mafi after 2017 Super Rugby game

Amanaki Mafi and Lopeti Timani have been fined the maximum amount by their club Melbourne Rebels after their late night incident in Dunedin over the weekend.

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Both players will have to pay AUS$15,000 for breaking the Super Rugby club’s disciplinary protocols.

Melbourne Rebels loose forward Mafi appeared in Dunedin District Court on Monday after he was charged for injuring with intent to injure, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

The alleged attack – on Rebels teammate Timani – happened in Dunedin and came after the Rebels lost 43-37 to the Highlanders on Saturday and were bounced from the playoffs.

Mafi entered no plea and was granted bail. He will reportedly return to Melbourne this week.

The terms of his bail mean he cannot associate with teammate Timani.

His case has been scheduled to return to court on August 3rd, but he won’t have to appear in person.

Rugby Australia and the Rebels confirmed in a statement Sunday night that Japanese international Mafi had been involved in an incident with Timani. It is understood no other players were involved.

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New Zealand Police released a statement following the incident, and said the victim had received moderate injuries but did not need require hosptialisation.

Melbourne Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson expressed his disappointment in a statement Sunday night.

“I am bitterly disappointed that an incident has occurred at the end of a season where we have taken pride in our on and off field behaviour,” the statement read.

“We will respect the process and won’t be making further comments until all investigations have taken place.”

Both Mafi and Timani are off contract after this season. Timani is set to head to France and join Top 14 side La Rochelle next season, while Japanese international Mafi has been linked with a move to the Sunwolves.

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Nickers 27 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.

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