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Two Rebels rookies stood down after attack allegations
Two young Melbourne Rebels players have been accused of attacking a man from behind in the early hours of Sunday morning, causing the man to lose consciousness.
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Pone Faamausili, 21, and Hunter Paisami, 20, are the two players who have been accused via a post on social media describing the incident.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, both players have since been suspended from the team indefinitely and have admitted their involvement in the alleged incident.
SMH also report that no charges have been laid, although Faamausili has provided a statement to police.
The original social media post involving the pair details an attack where a man was left “to bleed on the ground”.
The post reads:
“Early hours this morning my brother got king hit by this PONE FAAMAULISI & HUNTER PAISAMI [sic].
“We are unclear at the moment of the seriousness of what he [the alleged victim] has suffered but he did lose consciousness and had to be revived at the scene.
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“To say that we are angry at this situation is an understatement our family is shaken to the core but are extremely blessed and greatful [sic] that this wasn’t a fatal attack.
“You hit a man from behind and left him there to bleed on the ground, your suppose to set an example as a public figure yet here you are getting yourself into trouble and doing the opposite of what is expected of a elite athletes. [sic]
“One punch is all it takes to end a life. Your actions dictate the path of your life so make the right decisions and remember every actions [sic] had a consequence.”
Centre Paisami is a former Australia U20 representative and prop Faamausili earned his first Melbourne Rebels cap earlier this season.
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If the alleged incident is confirmed by police, it will be another blow for the Rebels.
The club have already been in the public eye following another recent incident involving back rowers Amanaki Mafi and Lopeti Timani.
Mafi left teammate Timani with two black eyes and was charged for assault with intent to injure after an altercation in Dunedin following the Rebels’ final round loss against the Highlanders.
Mafi and Timani were both fined A$15,000 for breaking team protocol.
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