Rugby: Melbourne Rebels star Amanaki Mafi set to meet with alleged victim

Amanaki Mafi of the Rebels. Photo / Getty

A Melbourne Rebels rugby star who allegedly dished out a beating to a team mate looks set to speak to the man about the violent incident.

Amanaki Lelei Mafi (28) was arrested following an alleged attack on fellow forward Lopeti Timani in South Dunedin following his side's loss to the Highlanders and subsequent exit from the Super Rugby competition last month.

The Japanese international was charged with injuring with intent to injure and within days, photos emerged of the complainant sporting two black eyes on his return to Australia.

Mafi is currently on bail in Japan and did not appear in the Dunedin District Court this morning when his case was heard.

Defence counsel Anne Stevens had raised the possibility of a restorative-justice meeting between the rugby players at the last hearing.

Today she told the court that conference looked set to proceed.

⁦@telegraph_sport⁩ backpage splashing with the horrific injuries suffered by ⁦@MelbourneRebels⁩ star Lopeti Timani after allegedly being attacked by ⁦@SuperRugby⁩ teammate Amanaki Mafi last weekend. https://t.co/OWM1KXzUNA pic.twitter.com/mY6PXipBi8

— Tim Morrissey (@timmorrissey) July 17, 2018

Timani's lawyer would provide contact details for his client and an independent facilitator would arrange the conversation between the international sport stars.
Mafi's bail conditions originally barred him from contacting the complainant but they had been varied to allow the potential restorative-justice conference to go ahead.

Mrs Stevens asked for her the case to be adjourned until September 11 and requested her client's attendance be excused.

Judge Connell accepted that but added that if the meeting between the players was successful, Mafi may have to appear in court should sentencing proceed.

The pair were each fined $AU15,000 as a result of the late-night episode, for breaching team protocols and management instructions.

"Notwithstanding that both Amanaki Mafi and Lopeti Timani were finishing at the Rebels this season and heading overseas to continue their playing careers, it is only appropriate, given the seriousness of the incident, to sanction both players with a significant fine," Melbourne Rebels Chief Executive Officer, Baden Stephenson said.

"The actions of these two players is totally contrary to our club's values and has tarnished the excellent work of so many in the club, both on and off the field this season . . . I only hope that both Amanaki and Lopeti genuinely reflect on and learn from this very troubling incident."

Rugby Australia is conducting its own investigation into the incident.