Kiwi gets life ban for assaulting ref
A Petone player has been banned for life from playing the game, after being found guilty of striking a referee.
The incident occurred during a Senior Two match between Hutt Old Boys Marist (HOBM) and Petone at the Hutt Recreation Ground last Saturday, April 9.
The player was in the process of receiving a red card for striking a HOBM player with his head, when he struck out at referee Michael Christenhusz, punching him in the face.
This week a Wellington Rugby judicial hearing issued a life ban for striking the match official and a 12-week concurrent sentence for the initial red card.
Wellington Rugby CEO James Te Puni said: “The actions of this player were completely unacceptable, hence the severity of the penalty.
“This course of action sends the strongest possible message to players, coaches and spectators that referee abuse of any kind, either verbal or physical, will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
The player, who did not attend the hearing, has 14 days to appeal from the date he receives written notification of the decision.
