Tautai leaves Wigan following drink-driving conviction

Taulima Tautai has left Wigan Warriors by mutual consent following the conclusion of an internal investigation.

The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to drink-driving in court earlier this month and was banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay £1400 in fines and court costs.

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Tautai was arrested in May for failing a roadside breath test in Wigan the morning after their Magic Weekend clash  against Warrington at Anfield.

And following the internal investigation, Tautai, who was at risk of deportation, will return to Australia with his family after nearly seven years in England.

Wigan Warriors Executive Director, Kris Radlinski, said: “After a series of conversations with Taulima, it was mutually decided that he will leave the Club with immediate effect after five-years at Wigan Warriors.

“Taulima and his family expressed their wish to return to Sydney immediately to be closer to their extended family and we have facilitated that wish.

“We’d like to thank Taulima for his efforts at Wigan and we wish him and his family well for the future.”

On his leaving Wigan, Tautai said: “I would like to say that I am grateful to Wigan Warriors for the opportunity that they have given my family and I for the past five years to live out my passion of playing rugby league.

“After achieving great success at the Warriors I feel that the time is right for me to take my family home.

“This decision has not been an easy one to make but I feel it is the right decision for my family, and I am very appreciative of the compassion shown by Ian Lenagan and Kris Radlinski whilst we have reached this agreement.”