The backrower, who has been charged with assaulting another teammate Lopeti Timani last weekend, was drinking with Koroibete at a bar in Cape Town during their South African tour in April.

During the night Mafi and Koroibete had an exchange. The Daily Telegraph can reveal Mafi struck Koroibete with a punch to the head that knocked the Wallabies winger off his seat.

Remarkably, Koroibete showed restraint and did not throw any punches back.

Instead, he verbally reprimanded Mafi and left.

THUGBY: Brutal injuries after teammates clash

The Rebels dealt with the incident behind closed doors and the two players sorted out their differences soon after.

In fact, they resumed their friendship and have roomed together for every away trip since.

However, Mafi has not endeared himself to teammates while drinking.

media_camera Marika Koroibete (pictured) was knocked off his stool by a punch from teammate Amanaki Mafi.

Insiders say he is ordinarily a gentle and warm figure around the group.

The Rebels had their end of season function in Melbourne on Tuesday, and neither Mafi nor Timani were in attendance.

As part of Mafi’s bail conditions, he is not allowed to have contact with Timani.

It is alleged that Mafi assaulted Timani last Saturday in Dunedin after the Rebels lost to the Highlanders.

media_camera Melbourne Rebels backrower Amanaki Mafi.

Given the team was still in finals contention, coach Dave Wessels asked his players not to go out and drink.

Mafi and Timani decided to disobey that order.

So as not to be spotted in town, the pair went to the home of Mafi’s brother in south Dunedin.

At some point during the evening, Mafi and Timani exchanged insults and the argument allegedly turned physical.

media_camera Lopeti Timani the day after he was allegedly punched by Melbourne Rebels teammate Amanaki Mafi.

Police were called and Mafi was charged with “injuring with intent to injure”, which carries a maximum five-year jail term in New Zealand.

Mafi appeared in Dunedin District Court and did not enter a plea.

He was released on bail, and returned to Melbourne but is expected to head to Japan within days to start a new contract with Top League club NTT Communications Shining Arcs.

The case was adjourned until August 3, at which time Mafi will have to enter a plea, although he won’t have to appear in person.

The Telegraph published a photo of Timani sporting two blacks eyes as a result of the alleged assault by Mafi.

Timani is also leaving the Rebels, and is awaiting a visa to fly to France so he can play for Top 14 club La Rochelle.

This incident could affect Mafi’s chances of playing for Japan at next year’s World Cup.

While he is one of the world’s best No.8s, the criminal charges are likely to be viewed dimly in Japan.

Both Mafi and Timani were fined $15,000 each by the Rebels for breaching team protocol and ignoring management’s instructions not to go out drinking after the match.

Rugby Australia will hold its own code of conduct investigation once the legal case is finished in New Zealand.

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