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Japanese club bans Amanaki Mafi

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Japanese international Amanaki Mafi has been banned from team activities by Top League side NTT Communications Shining Arcs until a verdict is made in his assault case.

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Mafi re-joined the Japanese club following a stellar Super Rugby season with the Melbourne Rebels.

The 28-year-old was charged with assault with intent to injure following an incident with Melbourne Rebels teammate Lopeti Timani.

It is alleged that after Timani sent an insult in the direction of one of Mafi’s female relatives. The former was then chased, tackled onto the ground and assaulted in the street.

Timani later said of the attack that he thought he was ‘going to die’.

Mafi’s charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, though his career may still be at risk even if charges are dropped as Top League sides have a history of dropping players who find themselves out of line.

New Zealand media reported earlier this month that a restorative-justice meeting between Mafi and Timani could take place before the case is resumed in September.

The Top League season kicks off at the end of the month when Mafi’s Shining Arcs play the Kobelco Steelers.

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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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