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Unvaccinated Sitaleki Timani departs Western Force on eve of Super Rugby season
By AAP
The Western Force have cut ties with Sitaleki Timani after the former Wallabies lock opted against having the Covid-19 vaccine.
Timani was unable to qualify for a medical exemption and his reluctance to have the vaccine meant he couldn't participate in the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season.
"I would like to thank the Western Force, my teammates and Rugby Australia for their support and understanding in what has been a difficult decision," Timani said.
"With the help of the Force, I am still consulting specialists but unfortunately with the season about to start I understand the position it puts both the Western Force and Rugby Australia in.
"This is not how I wanted to end my time in Australian rugby, but I am thankful for the opportunity I had to pull on the Force jersey again and wish them all the best for the upcoming season."
The 35-year-old played 18 Tests for the Wallabies between 2011-13.
The Force signed Timani in March last year following the forward's four-year stint with Clermont Auvergne in France.
"Sitaleki has been a great professional and valued member of the club since re-joining us last season.
"On behalf of everyone at the Force I would like to wish Sitaleki and his family all the very best for the future," Western Force chief executive Tony Lewis said.
- Justin Chadwick
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Latest Comments
He nailed a forward on this tour (and some more back in the NPC before he left lol)!
I know what you mean and see it too, he will be a late bloomer if he makes it for sure.
Go to commentsSo John, the guys you admire are from my era of the 80's and 90's. This was a time when we had players from the baby boomer era that wanted to be better and a decent coach could make them better ie the ones you mentioned. You have ignored the key ingrediant, the players. For my sins I spent a few years coaching in Subbies around 2007 to 2012 and the players didn't want to train but thought they should be picked. We would start the season with ~30 players and end up mid season with around 10, 8 of which would train.
Young men don't want to play contact sport they just want to watch it. Sadly true but with a few exceptions.
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