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Disgraced former Rebels star eyes World Cup spot


Amanaki Mafi. (Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)
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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.

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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.

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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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Phantom 33 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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