A Wellington club rugby player has been charged in relation to the serious on field assault of an opponent.
Iosefo Kalolo Aukusitino, of Kilbirnie, appeared in front of a registrar at the Hutt Valley District Court on Tuesday facing one charge of with wounding Petone player Ridge Studd with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. If convicted, he could face up to 14 years in prison.
The 23-year-old is alleged to have wounded Studd during a brawl at a sevens tournament match between Marist St Pats and the Petone Rugby Club at Maidstone Park on November 14, 2020.
The incident left Studd with severe facial injuries.
Aukusitino will appear in court again in September.
The incident which resulted in the criminal charge also sparked a disciplinary hearing by the Wellington Rugby Football Union.
As a result, Aukusitino was banned from all rugby games for two years for “striking leading to serious and gross consequences to the health of the victim”. His brother and teammate, Sagele Aukusitino, was suspended for one year for striking.
