Super Rugby Pacific: Unvaccinated lock Sitaleki Timani released by Western Force

Dylan Coetzee 16 Feb 2022 5:19 AM

Sitaleki Timani during the Round 5 Trans-Tasman Super Rugby match between Auckland Blues and Western Force at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, June 12, 2021. (AAP Image/Andrew Cornaga) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY ** STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE, NO BOOKS **

Sitaleki Timani has been released by the Western Force ahead of the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season because he is unvaccinated.

Timani had plied his trade in France with Montpellier and Clermont Auvergne for a total of eight years until moving to Perth.

Mutual termination

According to the Western Force, the contact has been mutually terminated as result of the Covid-19 restrictions that would prevent an unvaccinated player travelling and ultimately competing in Super Rugby Pacific.

“The Western Force have, in consultation with Rugby Australia, mutually agreed with Sitaleki Timani to release him from his playing contract effective immediately,” a statement wrote.

“As a result of relevant state government Covid-19 and travel regulations and in line with Western Force and Rugby Australia policies regarding vaccination, Sita is unable to participate in the Super Rugby Pacific season.

“Sita remains unvaccinated due to his medical concerns and has been unable to qualify for a medical exemption.”

Timani added: “I would like to thank the Western Force, my teammates and Rugby Australia for their support and understanding in what has been a difficult decision.

“With the help of the Force, I am still consulting specialists, but unfortunately with the season about to start, I understand the position it puts both the Western Force and Rugby Australia in.

“This is not how I wanted to end my time in Australian rugby, but I am thankful for the opportunity I had to pull on the Force jersey again and wish them all the best for the upcoming season.”

Law variations confirmed for inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season

Meanwhile, The 20-minute red card and 50-22 kicks are set to make their return as part of the new law variations for Super Rugby Pacific.

This will be included alongside the goal-line drop out, which was first trialled in Super Rugby AU, and variations to the golden point extra time, but the controversial captain’s challenge has been scrapped.

Super Rugby Pacific‘s red card variation sees the offending players sent off the field for 20 minutes before being replaced to restore 15 on 15 players.

Meanwhile, the golden point extra time is a shift on the ‘golden try’ ruling used in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman in 2021 with matches drawn at full-time to go into 10 minutes of extra time where the team to score first points will be awarded the win. If no points are scored in golden point, then the match is declared a draw.

News