RUGBY teams from around the world have banded in support of Tamati Timoko who was the victim of a vicious assault in Clarkson last month.
The Joondalup Brothers Rugby Union Club member is in the midst of his recovery from the incident and his story has had a vast effect on the worldwide rugby community.
The 27-year-old suffered brutal facial injuries when he was bashed by up to six people on August 21.
Clubs from as far as England, Colombia and Italy have donated auction items in response to a call from the Brothers fraternity for help in fundraising for Timoko’s rehabilitation.
Support has also come from Timoko’s native New Zealand and the Wallabies who have donated a ball signed by the entire squad.
Club captain Shane Kempton said it had been “truly amazing”.
“Our club has experienced the worst in human behaviour by a minority of people with the attack on Tamati,” he said.
“However it has brought out the very best in human behaviour from the majority of people, with the outpouring of support and help from our club, the local community and the global rugby brotherhood.”
Fundraising committee member Tony Herring said “rugby clubs large and small had been shocked by the news”.
“To date we have received shirts from premiership and lower division teams in England; we have also had pledges from places like Oxford University,” he said.
“Rugby league teams have also contributed, with both St George Illawarra and the England rugby league team supplying signed jerseys to auction.”
The memorabilia will be auctioned at a special fundraising match at Arena Joondalup this Sunday.
A team of New Zealand-born rugby locals will take on a colourful ‘rest of the world’ team in guernseys from all over the world. Western Force players will also be in attendance with signed auction items.
The festivities will start at 1pm and carry on until 5pm, with the game at 3pm.