Rugby rep to be deported

A leading Poverty Bay rugby player is to be deported for being an overstayer.

An application for a removal order was made by the Immigration Department for Tokaukamea Liku, 29, forest worker, on the grounds he was an overstayer.

The application was granted by Judge Stan Thorburn in Gisborne District Court yesterday to take effect from May 3. On two male assaults female charges he was remanded in custody to a later date.

The deportation of Liku, a Tongan, will be a blow for Poverty Bay in its second-division campaign.

Liku, who was Poverty Bay's player of the year in 2002, played 54 games for the province including last season's NPC third division final win over Wairarapa Bush.

He also played 18 times for Ngati Porou East Coast and was a member of the Coast side that beat Poverty Bay in the 1999 final.

- NZPA