Waikato Club Player Banned for Life for Punching a Referee
1st May 2009 03:11PM
Frankton B rugby player Taylor Sione was banned for life from rugby after punching a referee at a match in Hamilton last Saturday.
The Waikato Rugby Union Judicial Committee held a hearing last night to review the incident which occurred during a Senior B grade match between Frankton and Te Rapa where the player punched the referee in the second half of the match. This occurred following the player being issued with a red card.
After hearing evidence from all parties involved last night, the WRU Judicial Committee concluded that a life ban from rugby be issued to Mr Sione.
Mr Sione, 20, was represented by his club Frankton RFC at the hearing.
Waikato Rugby Union Chief Executive Graham Bowen said: "it was extremely disappointing to hear of such an incident. Referees are an integral part of club rugby."
"This isolated incident is a negative blight on the generally positive interaction shown between players, coaches, referees and volunteers in the Waikato club rugby scene."
