Northern Edition

Select Edition

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

Rebels star in police custody after allegedly assaulting teammate

Rugby Australia have confirmed that Melbourne Rebels Number Eight Amanaki Mafi is in the custody of the New Zealand Police after an alleged assault on teammate Lopeti Timani.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to Fox Sports, the alleged assault occurred in Dunedin following the Rebels’ 43-37 loss to the Highlanders on Saturday night.

Mafi is expected to face charges following the incident.

The defeat against the Highlanders – as well as the Sharks’ early morning victory over the Jaguares – meant the Rebels were pushed out from their position of 8th on the ladder and officially ruled out of the playoff race.

A spokeswoman for New Zealand Police said that a “man has been charged with injuring with intent”.

“The man is due to appear in the Dunedin District Court on the 16th July 2018.

“The alleged victim, also a 28-year-old man, received moderate injuries following the incident.

“He did not require hospitalisation. The pair were known to each other.

“As the matter is now before the court Police are not in a position to comment further.”

While Police didn’t name the players involved, the Rebels and Rugby Australia confirmed it was Mafi and Timani when they issued a joint statement Sunday night.

“Rugby Australia and the Melbourne Rebels are aware of an incident involving Rebels players Amanaki Mafi and Lopeti Timani in Dunedin overnight,” the statement reads.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Both players remain in New Zealand with Mafi currently in Police custody following an altercation between the two players.

“Rugby Australia understands that no other players were involved in the incident.

“As it is a Police matter, Rugby Australia, the Melbourne Rebels and the Rugby Union Players Association are unable to make further comment at this time.”

Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson expressed his disappointment, saying in a statement “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.

ADVERTISEMENT

“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.

In other news:

Video Spacer

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 18 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
TRENDING
TRENDING Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors Scott Robertson responds about handling errors
Search