Rugby star remorseful, accepts ban

Manu Sevens rugby star, Johnny Vaili, has accepted his suspension from all rugby for six months. 

He has also expressed remorse about his drunken behaviour at Taumeasina Island Resort which had led to him and his father being banished from Moata'a.

The message was relayed by the President of the Aana Rugby Union, Afamsaga Rico Tupai, who spoke to the Observer Sports as Vaili's Manager.

"I can confirm that we have just received the letter from the S.R.U. informing us of Johnny's ban, and Johnny has accepted it," he said. 

"He regrets his mistakes and he will also be undergoing anger management course to help him with his discipline. He is remorseful about what he did and I know that Johnny isn't the only player that this kind of matter has happened to, it happens to almost every player. 

"But we hope that he'll learn from his mistake and will strive again for a better tomorrow."

Afamasaga, who is also the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, spoke to the Observer Sports after he met with the Samoa Rugby Union to discuss the player's suspension. 

Vaili was present during the interview.

"We hope that for the time that he'll be spending off-field and during his anger management course he learns to control his temper. And hopefully he'll be back again on the field and perhaps join our national team," Afamasaga added.

The Minister also asked for forgiveness from the villages of Moataa and Satapuala for Vaili's actions.

"Apologies to the villages of Moataa and Satapuala for Johnny's actions and what has happened, I guarantee that he is sorry about the incident and he will be looking into ways to better himself and come back again with a good sportsmanship behavior," he said.

Starting today, Vaili will not be able to participate in any tournament or sporting events as conditions of his ban from S.R.U.

The last team Vaili played for recently was the Satapuala Senior A during the Digicel Aana Seven series.

Vaili has been one of the rising stars in the Sevens programme under the coaching of Kiwi legend, Sir Gordon Tietjens.