New Zealand Rugby shocked at rape admission of Koli Tamanitoakula

  • 23/02/2017
Gilbert Rugby ball (Photosport)
Gilbert Rugby ball (Photosport)

New Zealand Rugby has expressed their shock at Mid-Canterbury representative Koli Tamanitoakula's admission that he attempted to rape a woman.

The 25-year-old pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a charge of assault with intent to commit sexual violation. The charge related to an incident following a match in Gisborne in October 2016.

NZ rugby CEO Steve Tew said the player's actions were deplorable.

"New Zealand Rugby expects players at all levels of the game to act with basic decency and within the law," said Tew.

"We are shocked by Koli's actions and our thoughts go out to his victim."

Tamanitoakula has been remanded in custody until sentencing in June.

"We are appalled at Koli, and his behaviour was wrong. It was right for him to take responsibility for his actions and plead guilty," said Mid-Canterbury Rugby CEO Ian Patterson.

"Koli was immediately taken out of the team environment following the incident and has stayed outside of it.

"After this incident, Mid-Canterbury Rugby reiterated the high standard of personal behaviour we expect from our representative players."

Newshub.