Rugby Chief expresses shock and sadness

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 28 July 2018, 12:00AM

The Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Rugby Union, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea’i, has expressed shock at the developments involving Manu Samoa Sevens player, Gordon Langkilde. 

Langkilde was arrested at the beginning of the week after his alleged involvement in a fight in a tunnel at AT&T Park during the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament.

Speaking to the Weekend Observer, Faleovaega said he was shocked and disappointed with the turn of events.

“The incident is unfortunate,” he said.

“I will not speculate on what occurred as this is out of character for Gordon. This is shocking to be honest. He is very quiet. He does the talking on the field, when he plays, and we had high hopes that he will be a star in the Manu Samoa 15’s,” he said.

“I am very disappointed with the events given that Gordon is a great player.” 

Asked about the support that the S.R.U. is providing the player, Faleomavaega said they were working with the Pacific Islands Rugby Union and World Ruby to ensure Langkilde had legal representation.

“So we we’re able to hire a lawyer and the World Rugby and the Pacific Islands Rugby Union have been very helpful,” he said. 

“We will not leave him stranded in America, he’s our player and we will provide anything and everything necessary within our means to assist Gordon. The team arrived last night (Wednesday) and our team manager has stayed behind with Gordon to see through his case, and hope that they will return home as soon as the matter is settled in court. In the meantime, his stepmother is there as well in support of Gordon.”

The C.E.O. made it clear that the S.R.U. does not tolerate any violence on or off the field and that policy will not change.

The N.B.C. Bay Area News reported that Langkilde was booked into San Francisco county jail on charges of felony aggravated assault and felony battery causing serious bodily injury. San Francisco Police told Wales Online that Langkilde remains in custody and is accused of assaulting two Welsh rugby players, one of them 22-year-old Tom Williams.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 28 July 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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