Rising Melbourne Rebels rugby hopeful is busted drink driving

AN aspiring rugby star training with the Melbourne Rebels has been busted drink driving at night, without a licence and driving without headlights, just months after he started training with the team.

AN aspiring rugby star training with the Melbourne Rebels has been busted drink driving.

Kilisimasi Aholelei, 18, appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to drink driving in July.

The incident came four months after Aholelei started training with the Melbourne Rebels development squad.

The club said today they were unaware of the drink drive charge.

“The Melbourne Rebels were not aware of an incident involving Kilisimasi Aholelei,” a club spokesman said.

Rugby player Kilisimasi Aholelei outside the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. Picture: Ian Currie

“He is an amateur member of the State’s development program and not a contracted player with the Melbourne Rebels.

“The club is disappointed that Kilisimasi put himself and the general public in danger with an unacceptable and irresponsible decision.

“The matter’s been dealt with by the authorities and any further sanctions will be addressed by the development program’s senior management.”

Aholelei, from Tonga, was driving at night with his headlights off and without a license when he was intercepted by police and subjected to a breath test.

He returned a BAC reading of .061.

He later said he didn’t realise he needed a license because in Tonga “you just drive”.

Aholelei has represented Australia at international rugby union events and hopes to turn professional.

Placing him on a good behaviour bond magistrate Peter Dunn said Aholelei must attend a road trauma awareness course.

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Originally published as Rising Melbourne Rebels rugby hopeful is busted drink driving