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Vuna banned for one game

Melbourne - Wallabies wing Cooper Vuna was suspended by the Melbourne Rebels for one Super Rugby game on Wednesday, a game he was already going to miss after being sent home from South Africa for fighting with a team-mate.

Following their humiliating 64-7 loss to the Sharks in Durban on Saturday, fullback Kurtley Beale punched captain Gareth Delve, then Vuna, sticking up for Delve, fought with Beale. Vuna also breached team protocol when he tweeted about the incident.

Beale and Vuna were both immediately sent back to Australia in disgrace. Beale did not play in the match because of a broken left hand.

The pair will miss the Rebels' match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday, but Vuna will be available to play next week.

He apologised for the incident and team performance in a statement.

"Although I haven't deserved the opportunity to make amends for our unacceptable performance last week, be assured if selected I will do everything possible to deliver a winning result in Perth next week," Vuna said.

Beale, the Wallabies utility back, was still subject to a hearing. He's already facing assault charges from an alleged altercation with a bouncer at a Brisbane nightclub last year.

Meanwhile, Delve said he'd have no trouble playing again with Beale.

"I'm a professional rugby player. For the most part, my relationship with Kurtley has been excellent," Delve said. "It's not something I can't get past."


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