Totoa Auvaa, the rugby player caught up in the June nightclub altercation involving Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes, has been dismissed by Saracens. The decision follows a quick internal probe into a separate incident.
It was in the Rex Rooms nightclub in Chelsea that Auvaa’s punch at Gus Atkinson affected a member of England’s security team. This commotion led the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to suspend both Atkinson and Test captain Ben Stokes from England’s second Test against New Zealand, pending an investigation into their conduct.
Though an independent review and the ECB’s investigation established that both players had “breached specific contractual obligations”, neither was held accountable for any violent actions. Stokes has suggested that the handling of this incident played a role in his abrupt retirement at the month’s end.
Initially, Saracens supported the 21-year-old, criticising the ECB’s swift investigation. England international Jamie George, a team-mate of Auvaa, remarked that Auvaa was like “a rabbit in the headlights” who currently “doesn’t know right from wrong”.
Yet, amid allegations of a new incident where Auvaa reportedly punched someone in St Albans, Saracens decided to part ways with him. On Monday morning, they committed to a comprehensive review involving an unnamed academy player, revealing later that Auvaa had exited the club immediately.
In a statement, Saracens commented, “The club confirms that Totoa Auvaa from the senior men’s academy has departed. Following events this weekend, his actions were deemed inconsistent with the standards we hold dear both on and off the field. Our commitment to our supporters, youths, and partners remains unwavering, as does our resolve to uphold the conduct standards of our club. No further statements will be made on this issue.”
