News

Taione and Sharks part company

April 25 2008

Epi Taione has had his contract with the Sharks terminated with immediate effect.

The Tongan player, who can play in both the back row and on the wing, is currently serving a six-week suspension for headbutting.

It is rumoured he is heading to London in a bid to sign for a Guinness Premiership club.

According to Sharks CEO Brian van Zyl, the player and the club agreed to an 'amicable' termination.

"There was little point in him sitting around in Durban and serving out his suspension. His Sharks' contract, in the end, did not cost us a great deal of money," Van Zyl told The Witness.

"We were paying him on a pro rata basis and he arrived late and left early."

Taione only played two games and was on the field for a total of 25 minutes. He arrived a month late from his club in Japan after their commitments ran longer than normal.

"We are very sorry to see him go," said Van Zyl.

"He was popular with his Sharks team-mates and he really enjoyed Durban.

"He made it clear that if he is needed again once his suspension is over, on May 17, he would be happy to return."

Van Zyl, who represented Taione in his appeal, said the 29-year-old Tongan's actions did not warrant such a lengthy suspension.

"We thought six weeks was too harsh and we did everything possible to have the sentence reduced," he added.

"He has paid heavily for his brief moment of madness. There is no doubt that he is a talented player and a powerful ball-carrier with much to offer and perhaps we can get him back to Durban in the future."