Two Moana Pasifika players stood down

Moana Pasifika coach Aaron Mauger said he had to keep the standards inside the team high when deciding to stand down two players for tomorrow’s Super Rugby Pacific game against Fijian Drua.

Centre Levi Aumua and lock Samuel Slade were both made unavailable for the game in Sydney for breaking team protocol.

‘‘Our team is a new team and it’s really important we uphold the highest standards of discipline,’’ Mauger said. ‘‘People make mistakes – young men make mistakes and they often find themselves in situations they get wrong.

‘‘But there has got to be a consequence for that. It’s not a serious misconduct, but it’s enough for these two guys to stand down for a week and make sure they learn the lesson.’’

Moana Pasifika haven’t revealed what protocol the two players broke, but Mauger said both players accepted their punishment.

‘‘Both guys have owned it,’’ he said.

‘‘They know they slipped up and they’re both quality men.

‘‘They’ve been two of our best players all year and they know they got it wrong, so there was a consequence coming.

‘‘It’s what we’re about. A lot of the things we talk about on the field, about discipline, control and patience and all the things that will help us become a better rugby team.

‘‘That doesn’t start on the field, it starts with how we are with everything we do. It sends a message with what we’re about and I know those guys will make it right, they both trained outstandingly today.

‘‘It’s made them hungry and it’s a good reminder for everybody of what we’re about as a team.’’

The game against Fijian Drua is an historic occasion as it will be the first time the fledgling clubs will play each other. With the game in western Sydney where there are large Pacific Island communities, there could be a festivallike occasion in the stadium.