The end came for Totoa Auvaa via a quick one-two combination.
Early on Monday afternoon, Saracens announced an internal investigation into reports that the 21-year-old Samoan had been involved in a punch-up in St Albans.
Four hours later, another statement was released. The investigation was done. Auvaa’s fate was decided. A player, flown over and unveiled with a statement mentioning his “enormous potential” less than 14 months before, was sacked.
The swift conclusion to the case reflected patience having been exhausted among the Saracens hierarchy.
Back when Auvaa had been involved in a nightclub altercation with England cricketers Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes in June, Saracens stood, at least partially, by their man.
They issued a statement saying that while the incident was “regrettable for all parties”, the club was still supportive of Auvaa and would not punish him.
After that incident, hooker Jamie George had rallied to his defence. While describing Auvaa as “immature” and his behaviour as “unacceptable”, George pointed to his youth and distance from home.
“He’s a young kid who has only left Samoa once,” explained George in June.
“A lot of young people get it wrong in some way, shape or form. If we just got rid of all those people, a lot of lads [in the England squad] wouldn’t be standing on the field today. We will look after him.
“He is a fantastic prospect in terms of his rugby. If he gets his head down, then he is going to be a lot of hard work for a lot of teams in the Prem.”
On Tuesday afternoon, after Auvaa’s latest indiscretion and subsequent defenestration, George was again in front of the media.
This time was different.
“Brendan [Venter, technical director] and our CEO [Ed Coetzee] did a great job in terms of standing up, addressing it and making sure we moved on,” said George.
“We’ve got every faith that they’re going to make all the right decisions and do all the right things so that we can focus on the rugby.”
For all his promise, Auvaa, who has already captained his country at Under-20 and ‘A’ level, had wasted his final chance.
It wasn’t just his off-field indiscretions that had worried Saracens staff.
He was on loan to Ampthill last season and, while he generally held his own impressively in the second tier Championship, he was also sent off twice for violent conduct.
Against Hartpury in November, he punched an opposition player in the face in the aftermath of conceding a try.
In March, again against Hartpury, he kicked someone in the head at the bottom of a ruck.
Auvaa’s youth, recent arrival in England and the stress of supporting his father through illness back home in Samoa were put forward in mitigation.
“I have worked extremely hard on my discipline this season as it is something that is important to the game,” said Auvaa, as he gave evidence over the latter incident.
“I know it’s a big area for me to continue to work on.”
