Kiwi sacked from fourth NRL club

[josie andrews]

Melbourne made good on a threat to sack New Zealand Maori representative Arana Taumata with the league bad boy shown the door from his fourth National Rugby League club in as many years following a drunken altercation.

A talented five-eighth, Taumata was released from the club following a "physical altercation with another male" in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Club chief executive Brian Waldron said police were investigating the incident, which occurred in the city CBD.

Rising stars Will Chambers and Dane Nielsen were out with Taumata when the altercation took place and face an array of penalties including anger management sessions, alcohol education, and explaining their behaviour to club sponsors.

Taumata, 20, had already been marched by Brisbane in 2006 and the Sydney Roosters in 2007 for discipline breaches and the Bulldogs last year after he allegedly broke another man's jaw in an off-field incident.

When signed by the Storm he was told he would be given one chance, according to Waldron.

"Arana's come to the club with the understanding that he's had one opportunity and unfortunately he has transgressed and left us with no choice," he said.

"We're disappointed for a number of reasons, certainly from an image of the club point of view but Arana and the boys have let us and themselves down.

"Arana's got some issues to deal with personally, we've tried to help him through those but he understands that when you make choices there are consequences."

Waldron said the club and the players worked hard to maintain a strong, positive reputation in Melbourne.

"I'll be damned if we're going to let individuals destroy what we've done here and that's why we've been so strong with this issue and we will protect the image of the game and the Storm to the detriment of individuals if need be."

Taumata was thought to be settling in well at Melbourne, with coach Craig Bellamy impressed by his pre-season efforts and considering promoting him to a play-making role to allow super-star Greg Inglis to move to the centres.

Waldron said the club was helping him with his "issues".

"You'd like to think as a 20-year-old you can overcome your shortcomings.


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/a ... d=10554818

Thats another won't get a visa to come here

[wall_of_voodoo]

The aussies are quoting huddersfield as a possible destination, you couldn't make it up!!!

[exile in Tiger country]

surely the press will have him "Linked with a move to Wigan Warriors" everyone else and his dog is, why not this one?

[josie andrews]

Raider charged with assault

THE season hasn't started yet but the NRL is facing another domestic violence issue after promising Raiders player Joel Thompson was stood down indefinitely after being charged with assault.

With former NRL player Greg Bird still facing serious assault charges relating to an alleged incident involving girlfriend Katie Milligan - and less than a day after the Storm tore up the contract of wayward playmaker Arana Taumata - it has emerged Thompson was charged with assault on January 22.

He appeared in ACT Magistrates Court yesterday and will appear again on February 25. ACT Policing would not comment because it was a "family matter'' but the NRL has been told by Raiders officials the incident involves Thompson's girlfriend, Danielle O'Brien.

"Joel Thompson has been stood down by the club and will not participate in any club activities until this matter has been finalised by the appropriate authorities,'' Canberra chief executive Don Furner said.

"Until this time he will not be training or playing with the club. A decision on his future with the Raiders will be made later.''

Thompson has played just one first-grade game - in the last round of last season - but was expected to play more this year. NRL chief executive David Gallop said he had spoken to Furner and was awaiting a full report.

After a relatively quiet off-season, the NRL has been floored by a string of off-field dramas in the last 24 hours. Taumata was sacked from his fourth club in as many years for "a physical altercation with another male'' in Melbourne on Saturday.

He was on his last chance after the Bulldogs sacked him last year after he allegedly broke a man's jaw in an off-field altercation. "He has a shocking record now at a number of clubs,'' Gallop said.

"His chances of being registered at a new club - if a new one was interested - would have to be considered questionable.''

Storm players Will Chambers and Dane Nielsen also face disciplinary action for being with Taumata at the time of the incident but have escaped being sacked.

These events comes on the same day that Titans winger Ben Jeffery appeared in court on drink driving charges. Police allege he was caught driving after drinking three beers, three bourbon and Cokes and two vodka lemonades.

"These things are always disappointing,'' Gallop said. "But it's unreal to think we won't have these issues from time to time. It's important they are dealt with appropriately.''


http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 66,00.html