Photo via BBC Sport

Two punch-ups, two red cards, no chances left - Saracens sack Auvaa

Saracens have terminated the contract of young Samoan forward Totoa Auvaa following an internal investigation into a second reported altercation in less than a year. The club’s swift decision came just hours after the initial report emerged on Monday, marking a stark contrast to their earlier stance after a June incident involving England cricketers Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes.

Despite initial support for Auvaa, who was praised for his potential when signed in 2022, Saracens’ patience wore thin after repeated off-field issues, including two red cards during a loan spell at Championship side Ampthill for violent conduct—once for punching an opponent in the face and again for kicking a player in the head during a ruck. Hooker Jamie George, who had previously defended Auvaa as a young player adjusting to life abroad, later backed the club’s decision, emphasizing the need to focus on rugby performance moving forward.

Auvaa, who had captained Samoa at Under-20 and ‘A’ level, had previously acknowledged his disciplinary struggles, but Saracens ultimately deemed his conduct irreconcilable with the club’s standards.

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