Statement on behalf of the WRFU Disciplinary Committee

Following an incident at the Ambassador Sevens Tournament in Upper Hutt in November 2020 in which a match was called off and four players were red-carded, the WRFU disciplinary committee, independently chaired by Gerard Dewar, has delivered the following sanctions:

Ridge Studd (Petone RFC)

Three match suspension from all rugby for striking and retaliation.

Jeremiah Tuiatua (Marist St Pats RFC)

Five match suspension for injecting himself with force via shoulder charge.

Sagele Aukusitino (Marist St Pats RFC)

One-year suspension from all rugby for striking.

Iosefo Aukusitino (Marist St Pats RFC)

Two-year suspension from all rugby for striking leading to serious and gross consequences to the health of the victim.

Patrick Aukusitino (spectator)

Two-year suspension from attending any matches under WRFU control having entered the field of play and struck a player.

Marist St Pats RFC

Three-year ban from entering a men’s team in the WRFU American Ambassador’s Sevens Tournament.

The sanctions are subject to a seven-day appeal period. No further comment will be made until this period and any possible appeal proceedings conclude.

Police enquiries are ongoing.