Harlequins flanker Semi Kunatani has been named as one of two Fiji rugby players arrested for breaking isolation laws after he returned home from London.
Both players returned to Fiji via Singapore. They were arrested for failing to observe a 14-day quarantine designed the prevent the spread of Covid-19. Fiji has reported 12 cases.
“We strongly condemn the behavior of these two players and their disregard for lawful instructions to self-isolate themselves,” said John O’Connor, chief executive or Fiji rugby.
“Such irresponsible behavior is totally unacceptable and we support the actions of the police in arresting these two players and any further action taken against them. Fiji Rugby will take appropriate disciplinary actions against the professional rugby players, including reporting this highly irresponsible behavior to their clubs and World Rugby.”
Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama also accused the players of putting “the whole of Fiji at risk” and revealed they have both been put in isolation.
9 Times Rugby Players Were Arrested
From time to time, some rugby players have a tendency to play with fire when it comes to life off the pitch.
Whether it’s a boozy night out in town or something a lot worse, some stars don’t do themselves any favours when it comes to abiding by the law.
Here’s a look at nine of the most notable occasions when rugby players broke the law...
1. Danny Cipriani
Cipriani was arrested for drink-driving after the car he was driving was involved in a collision with a taxi at 05:15 on 1 June 2015. He was convicted after a five-day trial for drink-driving before Westminster Magistrates' Court on 24 June 2016. He was ordered to pay a total of £7,620 in fines and costs and banned from driving for 18 months.
Three years later in August 2018, during a pre-season tour in Jersey, Cipriani was arrested after an incident at a nightclub in St Helier. He was charged with common assault, larceny, assault on police, resisting arrest and being disorderly on licensed premises later that day.
2. Steven Pokere
From 1981 to 1985, he played 39 matches for the All Blacks. But in 2005, Pokere was sentenced to 2½ years in jail for conspiracy to defraud investors of $NZ4million, relating to a company that he ran with three others, all Mormons, that targeted fellow church members, many of whom were friends and family of the quartet.
Steven Pokere's New Zealand jersey is in Woodward's possession after a swap.
3. Marc Cécillon
On 10 November 2006, Cécillon, a former France captain, was found guilty of murdering his wife and sentenced to 20 years in prison, five more years than the prosecution had sought. The sentence was reduced to 14 years on appeal before he was released on parole in 2011.
Earlier this month a judge in Perpignan, southern France, sentenced Cecillon to 12 months in jail, with six months suspended, after a night of violence in August at a vineyard where he was helping with the grape harvest, according to the local L’Independant news site.
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4. Sami Panico
Zebre terminated the contract of prop Sami Panico in October 2018 after the Italian international was arrested by police officers following a raid on his home.
According to Italian news agency ANSA, Police reportedly found 1.5kg of marijuana, 330g of hashish and €10,000 from "illegal activities", per the police, in the back garden of Panico's property before arresting him for alleged "possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking." The 25 year-old won ten caps for Italy.
5. Andy Powell
Powell was arrested "for taking and driving away a golf buggy" a few hours after the Welsh team's last-minute victory over Scotland in their 2010 Six Nations match. He was arrested near Junction 33 on the M4 motorway at 0600 GMT 14 February 2010.
The following day, for behaviour "contrary to the squad's code of conduct", he was removed from Wales' 35-man training squad for the Six Nations 2010, and played no further part in the tournament.] He was later given a 15-month driving ban and fined after admitting the offence at Cardiff Magistrates court.
6. Earl Rose
Last month it was confirmed he was the Stellenbosch Golf Club thief. Footage of the Springbok and an un-named woman depicted the two casually making off with equipment worth thousands of pounds.
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7.Gordon Langkilde
The Samoa 7's star was charged with assault after an altercation that left Wales' Tom Williams in the tunnel with broken facial bones and two other players injured. He was forced pay compensation to the victims and withdraw from playing all rugby for a year.
8. Tony Neary
The England international, who won 43 caps between 1971 and 1980, was jailed for theft in February 1998 after admitting stealing money from a trust fund of millionaire friend John Gorna. After his release, he commented on living in London since his release - recently said: "I don't follow rugby any more, I'm just looking to get on with my life."
9. Rhian Nokes
The former Wales women's rugby player has been jailed for seven years after being convicted of sexual activity with an underage girl. Rhian Nokes, 29, had been working as school's sports coach in south Wales in 2010 when she started a relationship with the pupil.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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