Rugby: Moala to return to Blues

Blues wing George Moala will return to training with the team, the team has announced.

Moala was last week found guilty of wounding with intent over a late night fight two years ago.

In a statement, the Blues said the court was still to undertake a sentencing process, the outcome of which would not be known until May 1, and a conviction had not been entered.

"Given the range of potential outcomes that could result from sentencing, it is not appropriate to conclude any internal misconduct process until after 1 May. Therefore, the Blues and New Zealand Rugby will await the final outcome of sentencing before resolving what further action, if any, may be appropriate."

Moala's bail conditions allowed him to fulfil all obligations as a professional rugby player, including travel and he remained available for selection.

The decision followed detailed consultation with New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Rugby Players' Association, key stakeholders and Moala's legal team.


Moala and his brother Siua had been accused of assaulting two men, Clifford Matoka and Damian Leota, during a vicious bar fight in Auckland in December 2012.

The brawl, which erupted in a small bar on Karangahape Rd and spilled out onto the street, left one man in hospital and several people arrested.

After five hours of deliberation on Friday, an Auckland District Court jury found Moala guilty of assaulting Mr Matoka with intent to injure him, but not guilty on two other charges - of assaulting Mr Leota with intent to injure him and of common assault on Mr Matoka. They found his brother not guilty on all three of the same charges.

- NZME.

 

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