Disgraced former Rebels star eyes World Cup spot
Ex-Melbourne Rebels backrower Amanaki Mafi has been called into Japan’s extended Rugby World Cup training squad despite facing an assault charge from his time at the Super Rugby club.
The Japan Rugby Football Union announced Mafi’s inclusion on Monday following delays in legal proceedings in New Zealand, where the alleged incident involving former Rebels teammate Lopeti Timani occurred last July.
Mafi filed a not guilty plea in September after being charged with injuring with intent to injure, while both players were also fined $15,000 by the Rebels for their involvement in the late night bust-up.
Named Australian Super Rugby Player of the Year in 2017, Mafi left Melbourne to join Japan Top League club NTT Communications Shining Arcs, although he was banned from all team activities until November.
They then allowed him to play after “assessing his self-reflection and willingness to change his conduct” while the 29-year-old released a letter of apology through the team.
With 22 Test caps, Mafi is considered one of the top players in the national side and starred in their 2015 World Cup campaign, which included an upset win over South Africa.
He will take part in their next training camp.
AAP News
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What he is saying is true. Why the Fiji is so strong at sevens, and the way to beat them is to get into extra time. They run out of gas. But of his SSI loaded team isn't two scores ahead with fifteen minutes to play they could be in trouble. Also rush defence and resolute tackling stops even the biggest in their tracks. One of the greatest attacking wings ever Jono Lomu never scored against South Africa in four or five tests. Secondly the big islanders are great going forward but not to good turning round as when tiny Breyten Paulse beat Lomu one on one all ends up by chipping over his head running round him collecting and scoring under the posts. As we say in Africa: "Bring on the heat."
Go to commentsI suggest for an injection of rugby enthusiasm watch URC and Heineken Cup. Last night's game between campions Stormers and 15 on the trot unbeaten Leinster ended in a thrilling the draw in the worst possible rugby conditions producing seven tries, outstanding defence, and some really exciting running by both sides. Huge physicality, great set piece contests (virtually every lineout was contested), great maul, running, intercept and kick chase tries and just about everything one could want. One side 22 points adrift after 35 minutes only to go five up with ten to play putting on 27 unanswered points and then in the death an absolutely magic try levelling the score with an impossible kick in high wind being snatched away at the last second. all in front of a full house stadium and over half a million TV viewers. Now that is the game played in heaven - rugby.
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