Green Rockets’ ex-Japan international arrested on suspicion of assault

Division two side NEC Green Rockets has announced that their ex-Japan international Amanaki Lotoahea was arrested on suspicion of assault on Sunday March 8.

Tonga-born centre Lotoahea, 35, who has eight caps for Japan after qualifying on residency grounds, has scored two tries in four appearances this season.

The former Black Rams Tokyo back was arrested after reportedly assaulting a restaurant employee on the street in Shibuya while being intoxicated.

Rotoahea was believed to have spat out a beer he had been drinking at a restaurant and an employee chased him and tried to reprimand him.

Courtesy of NEC Green Rockets

Rotoahea reportedly denied the charges and told Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department: "I have no recollection of punching a restaurant employee."

NEC Green Rocket’s statement issued on Monday said: “We deeply regret the arrest of one of our players and apologise to all our supporters and fans for the concern and inconvenience this has caused.

The former Brave Blossom represented Japan from 2016-2017 © JRFU

“As a team, we will fully cooperate with the police investigation and will take strict disciplinary action against the player after verifying the facts.”

Japan Rugby League One’s statement said: “We deeply regret the arrest of a player from a League One team on suspicion of assault, and Japan Rugby League One takes this matter very seriously.

“Japan Rugby League One will verify the facts and, in accordance with its Disciplinary Regulations, will determine whether to refer this matter to the Disciplinary Committee.

“If the matter is referred, the Disciplinary Committee will investigate and deliberate the matter, and we will report the results of the deliberations at a later date.”

The under fire club has experienced a number of scandals in recent years which led NEC announcing last year that they will be withdrawing their involvement in the side in 2026.

NEC announced in December that they had signed a transfer agreement which will see railway operator JR East, who already has a club in the semi-professional Top East League, take over the running of the club from July 2026.

Ex-NRL star Blake Ferguson, a former Australian rugby league international, was arrested in 2022 on suspicion of illegal drug possession. Ferguson's contract was terminated one day after the club announced his arrest.

Last year the club was embroiled in another scandal when another Tonga-born ex-Japan international Fetuani Lautaimi was arrested in Chiba for reportedly driving without a license and being under the influence of alcohol at the wheel. The Rockets, who are coached by ex-New Zealand international Greg Cooper, are currently fourth in the second tier with four wins and three defeats after seven rounds. After a bye week, the Chiba outfit will return to action next week against Kamaishi Seawaves on Sunday 22 March.