Digicel Pacific Islanders - Media Update - 21 November

Back Rower Faces Six Nations Judiciary

Digicel Pacific Islanders back rower Viliami Vaki will face a Six Nations judiciary panel tomorrow at 10.00am (UK time) following official confirmation of his citing for an alleged dangerous tackle during the 34-22 defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Vaki has been cited following an incident early in the match where Scottish scrum half Chris Cusiter was injured and had to leave the field. The case will be heard by a three man independent panel in Dublin.

Pacific Rugby CEO Sakopo Lolohea has thrown his support behind Vaki:

“I strongly believe that Mr. Vaki meant no harm to the player concerned and he is very sorry that this incident took place during an excellent international match.

He is highly regarded in Tonga and the Pacific as a model player for young and up and coming international players”.

Vaki who is currently playing for Perpignan in the French professional competition has an unblemished record at both amateur and professional levels. In 2001 Vaki was voted Pacific Player of the Year for his leadership both on and off the field. He has played with distinction at the 7’s and 15’s game and captained Tonga on their tour to Italy and France in 2005. Vaki has 26 caps and has scored five tries.
Full details of the outcome will be given following the conclusion of the judiciary meeting.

In other news Josh Taumalolo has returned to his English premiership side Bristol after being released from his Pacific Islander duties. He joins Rupeni Caucau, Semo Sitite and Isoa Domolailai who have similarly been released from international duty.

Meanwhile the squad continued their upbeat preparation for Sunday’s historic international match versus Ireland with a skills and conditioning session at the Old Belvedere club ground a few kilometres from Dublin’s bustling town centre.

On completion of training the forwards took part in a video session for the International Rugby Board. Last week new scrummaging laws were passed and the Digicel Paciifc Islanders were invited to demonstrate the new laws under the tutelage of former top whistleblower Paddy O’Brien prior to them coming into force next year.

An IRB representative said:

“It was great to see the Pacific Islanders involved – this instructional video will be disseminated to rugby playing nations throughout the world”.

The Digicel Pacific Islanders will play Ireland in the final ever Test match at Lansdowne Road on Sunday 26 November.