At 33, former All Black Malakai Fekitoa is headed back to the classroom, but not for your typical education. This seasoned rugby veteran is enrolling in tackle school to clean up his game in hopes of joining Tonga for their clash against Scotland come November 23. Transitioning from his New Zealand stripes, where he capped 24 times and snagged a 2015 Rugby World Cup victory, Fekitoa has been donning the colors of his birth nation, Tonga, with his recent years dotted by stints across European clubs before landing at Benetton in Italy.
However, his current season took a nosedive during a United Rugby Championship bout against Edinburgh, where Benetton suffered a staggering 43-0 defeat. More salt was rubbed into the wound when Fekitoa was cited for dangerous play early in the second half, risking a hefty six-match suspension. The disciplinary panel, appreciating Fekitoa's clean past and genuine remorse, reduced the punishment to three games.
"The player accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card,"
revealed the disciplinary committee. Should Fekitoa successfully complete a World Rugby sanctioned tackle program, his suspension will be further cut down, allowing him to participate in the upcoming game against Scotland after missing only two matches.
This isn't the first time Fekitoa has faced the music for his on-field actions. Back in 2016, a high tackle on Simon Zebo during a match against Ireland was initially seen as a yellow-card offense. Yet, subsequent reviews escalated it to a red card, sidelining him for a crucial game against France. His journey through rugby's disciplinary nuances seems almost as challenging as the matches themselves.
As Fekitoa gears up to potentially help Tonga in their November series, his story serves as a harsh reminder of the thin line between aggressive play and punishable offenses in professional rugby. His career, illustrious yet marred by these blips, reflects the ongoing battle players face in balancing fierceness with fairness on the international stage.
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At 33, former All Black Malakai Fekitoa is headed back to the classroom, but not for your typical education. This seasoned rugby veteran is enrolling in tackle school to clean up his game in hopes of joining Tonga for their clash against Scotland come November 23. Transitioning from his New Zealand stripes, where he capped 24 times and snagged a 2015 Rugby World Cup victory, Fekitoa has been donning the colors of his birth nation, Tonga, with his recent years dotted by stints across European clubs before landing at Benetton in Italy.
However, his current season took a nosedive during a United Rugby Championship bout against Edinburgh, where Benetton suffered a staggering 43-0 defeat. More salt was rubbed into the wound when Fekitoa was cited for dangerous play early in the second half, risking a hefty six-match suspension. The disciplinary panel, appreciating Fekitoa's clean past and genuine remorse, reduced the punishment to three games.
"The player accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card,"
revealed the disciplinary committee. Should Fekitoa successfully complete a World Rugby sanctioned tackle program, his suspension will be further cut down, allowing him to participate in the upcoming game against Scotland after missing only two matches.
This isn't the first time Fekitoa has faced the music for his on-field actions. Back in 2016, a high tackle on Simon Zebo during a match against Ireland was initially seen as a yellow-card offense. Yet, subsequent reviews escalated it to a red card, sidelining him for a crucial game against France. His journey through rugby's disciplinary nuances seems almost as challenging as the matches themselves.
As Fekitoa gears up to potentially help Tonga in their November series, his story serves as a harsh reminder of the thin line between aggressive play and punishable offenses in professional rugby. His career, illustrious yet marred by these blips, reflects the ongoing battle players face in balancing fierceness with fairness on the international stage.