Daily Star

Jofra to prove it to pals

Wigan ace convicted

- ■ by GARETH WALKER ■ by DEAN WILSON

TAULIMA TAUTAI’S Wigan career hangs in the balance after being convicted of drink driving.

The forward could be deported after pleading guilty to driving while being almost twice the legal limit when he was stopped by police in the early hours of May 26.

Tautai, 31, was arrested just a few hours after playing in Wigan’s Magic Weekend defeat to Warrington at Anfield.

His legal team told Wigan and Leigh Magistrate­s’ Court that he suffered concussion in the match, which, along with the medication he took for it, led to him making “the wrong decision to drive his vehicle”.

Defending, Rodrigues Landu added that Tautai would probably be deported as he is currently applying for a UK settlement visa that could now be blocked.

That would see him having to return to Australia, even though he is contracted to Wigan for next season.

Tautai was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £1,200.

He is the third Warriors player to be convicted of drink driving since October. Tautai has not been included in the squad to face Leeds tomorrow as the club completes its own investigat­ion. Coach Adrian Lam said: “Any time any player is charged, it’s not good, it’s not a good standard to set for the rugby league community.

“It doesn’t fit into our values as a club, it’s unacceptab­le and we will deal with it accordingl­y.” ■ MARC SNEYD admits he can’t put his finger on Hull FC’s rollercoas­ter campaign.

The Black and Whites sit fourth in Super League ahead of tonight’s trip to Castleford and are one win away from a third Challenge Cup Final in four years.

But Lee Radford’s side have also been thumped three times by more than 50 points this year.

Half-back Sneyd said: “It’s been a really weird, difficult season and it’s hard to try and answer why it’s happened.

“If we had the answer, then those big defeats would have stopped happening after the first one.” cannot wait. “He’s looking forward to it,” said Bayliss.

“He knows a few guys in their team. I think it will be like anyone who knows a few guys in their team – it’s always about bragging rights.

“He has got a lot of skill and wants to show people how good he is.”

Moeen Ali is set for a return to the side after the birth of his daughter on Wednesday.

Wicketkeep­er Jos Buttler will play after bruising his hip in the win over Bangladesh on Saturday.

■ David Warner scored his first century since returning from his ban as holders Australia ran out comfortabl­e 41-run winners over Pakistan at Taunton yesterday.

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 ??  ?? JOFRA ARCHER is desperate to prove himself against West Indies tomorrow. England’s Barbados-born fast bowler (left) is set to face the Windies for the first time when England play them in Southampto­n. England coach Trevor Bayliss said Archer
JOFRA ARCHER is desperate to prove himself against West Indies tomorrow. England’s Barbados-born fast bowler (left) is set to face the Windies for the first time when England play them in Southampto­n. England coach Trevor Bayliss said Archer
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COURT OUT: Taulima Tautai faces being deported back to Australia
■ COURT OUT: Taulima Tautai faces being deported back to Australia

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