Melbourne Rebels forward Amanaki Mafi granted bail over alleged teammate assault
MELBOURNE Rebels forward Amanaki Mafi was remanded on bail when he appeared in a Dunedin court on Monday charged with assaulting teammate Lopeti Timani.
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SUPER Rugby player Amanaki Mafi did not enter a plea and was remanded on bail when he appeared in a Dunedin court Monday charged with assaulting teammate Lopeti Timani.
The 28-year-old former Japan test player was charged with assaulting Timani with intent to injure, an offence which carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail.
The alleged assault occurred early Sunday after the Rebels’ 43-37 loss to the Dunedin-based Highlanders.
“A 28-year-old man has been charged with injuring with intent to injure following an alleged assault in South Dunedin last night,” said a New Zealand Police spokesperson on Sunday night.
“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.”
Mafi appeared before Justice of the Peace Robert Montgomery in the Dunedin District Court Monday. Lawyer Anne Stevens successfully applied for Mafi to be remanded without plea until Aug. 3.
As a condition of his bail he is ordered not to associate with Timani and police did not oppose bail conditions. Mafi is expected to return to Melbourne on Tuesday.
In a joint statement on Sunday Rugby Australia and the Melbourne Rebels said they were aware of an altercation between Mafi and Timani. Mafi was held in custody until his court appearance Monday.
Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson said the incident had left a bad taste after the club were in touching distance of their maiden Super Rugby finals appearance.
“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,” he said.
“We will respect the process and won’t be making further comments until all investigations have taken place.”
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Originally published as Melbourne Rebels forward Amanaki Mafi granted bail over alleged teammate assault