Waikato rugby winger Sevuloni Reece has lost a two‑year deal with Irish club Connacht after he was granted a discharge without conviction for domestic violence.
Reece, the second highest points scorer in the Mitre 10 Cup so far this year, was set to take up the new deal in November.
The 21-year-old was handed the discharge without conviction by Judge Denise Clark in Hamilton District Court.
The incident had left his partner bloodied and bruised.
Judge Clark had earlier highlighted that a conviction would have ended the Fijian‑born player's Irish contract ‑ and that would have been out of all proportion to the gravity of the offending.
However, Connacht has also confirmed that the club will discontinue the deal anyway.
In a statement Connacht Rugby says that they have taken the decision, following contact with Sevu Reece in relation to the circumstances of a recent court appearance, not to proceed with a contract to play with the province.
Reece was ordered to pay his victim $750 within 28 days for emotional harm reparation.
On the single charge of common assault, he was discharged without conviction.
[Source: NZ Herald]
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