BOND UNI SHOCKED OVER MANU’S BAN
BOND University have hit out at a suspension that has wiped key player Salesi Manu out of their Queensland Premier Rugby season-opener tomorrow.
Manu was referred to the judiciary for backchat during Bond’s pre-season game against New Zealand side Sydenham a fortnight ago and had a two-match ban confirmed on Wednesday night.
Coach Grant Anderson had been confident about their chances of clearing the prop, who has been named a vice-captain of the premier side, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
The good news is that he will be back in time for Round 2, having already served a game – the trial against GPS last weekend – before the hearing occurred.
That was of little consolation to Bond though, who already have a number of forwards unavailable for their clash with Wests at Nerang tomorrow.
“We are very disappointed with the outcome,” said director of rugby Sean Hedger.
Outside of Manu, flanker Tipene Mavoa and No.8 Zac Moimoi are injured while PJ Van den Berg and Sam Clifton are unavailable as they sit examinations.
In a further blow, Bond appear set to be without reigning player of the year Joel Brown for the entire season after he elected to head to New Zealand.
Brown excelled at openside flanker in a difficult 2017 campaign for the club.
Bond will enter Round 1 off a 42-15 trial loss to GPS.