Saracens have ended Totoa Auvaa’s association with the club after a series of disciplinary incidents involving the academy forward, with his latest incident coming amid a police investigation into an alleged assault.
The 21-year-old has left the Gallagher PREM rugby side with immediate effect after the club determined that his behaviour did not meet the professional standards required of its players.
The decision follows an incident reported in St Albans in the early hours of Sunday, hours after Saracens’ fantastic 30-7 victory over Bristol Bears.
A statement from Hertfordshire police said: “Police are investigating an altercation which occurred between 2.15 am and 2.20 am on Sunday (October 11) in St Peter’s Street, St Albans.
“It is alleged a man in his 20s was approached by another man who then punched him in the face. Enquiries are ongoing at this time.”
Auvaa has struck more than once but does not like to fight
This latest incident is the second Auvaa has been involved in within just four months. This follows a June incident at the Rex Rooms in Chelsea involving England cricket captain Ben Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson.
He also got into trouble during his loan spell at Ampthill RFC. The first came in November last year in a home game against Hartpury, when he struck an opponent in the face with his right hand.
Auvaa was sent off for his actions and was awarded a red card, a three-match ban, and a £125 fine. Ahead of that hearing, he wrote a statement saying, ‘I am not a player that likes to fight, and I would like to sorry for the actions of myself in the game.’
After that incident, his coach said external matters may have affected him. That external matter involved his father in Samoa, who was sadly taken ill.
More of the same followed
Four months later, however, he was suspended yet again for an incident against Hartpury. This time, he received five weeks after stamping on an opponent's head.
He did not attend the hearing for this incident because, according to the hearing report, he knew very little English and would have found it difficult to manage. Auvaa sent a statement saying he was working extremely hard on his discipline.
He now finds himself without a club
Sadly, following the on-field incidents, two off-field incidents have left Auvaa without a club, as Saracens has released a statement on the matter. The statement stated: “Saracens can confirm that Totoa Auvaa, a member of the senior Men’s Academy, has left the club with immediate effect.
“Following an incident this weekend, the club has determined that his conduct falls short of the standards expected of everyone who represents Saracens, both on and off the pitch.
“We take our responsibilities to our supporters, young people and partners seriously, and we remain committed to upholding the standards of our conduct expected across the club.
“We will not be making any further comment on this matter.”
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The PREM side also confirmed it is investigating another player who may have been involved in the incident and has stood down from playing while it conducts a thorough investigation.
“Saracens is aware of an incident involving a member of the Men’s Senior Academy in St Albans on the evening of Saturday 10 October,” another statement read.
“The player involved has been stood down from all club duties with immediate effect while the club carries out a thorough internal investigation to establish the facts.
“Saracens expects the highest standards of conduct from everyone representing the club. We will make no further comment until the investigation has concluded.”
Indiscipline a worry for Saracens?
This issue continues to stain Saracens, who sit third in this season’s PREM table and face Connacht in their first Champions Cup fixture on Saturday.
Let’s not forget that in 2024, Billy Vunipola, former Saracens player now at Montpellier, was involved in an incident in Majorca where he was tasered by Spanish police in the early hours of the morning at a nightclub.
One thing is for sure: the Saracens will be aiming for another dominant on-field performance this weekend, as off-field incidents are becoming a real issue for the club.
