North Otago club rugby does not have any problems with discipline, despite a coach being stood down for verbally abusing a referee, its chief executive says.
The incident preceded an all-in brawl on April 16 which led to three players from the Athletic Marist club being red-carded in a match against Valley.
A hearing last week banned the players for a total of 59 weeks. One player, believed to be Viliami Kaufana, was banned for a year.
North Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Colin Jackson on Sunday confirmed a coach had been suspended for two weeks because of verbal abuse of a referee.
The incident happened on April 9 and the two-week suspension had been served.
He declined to name the referee, saying the union's policy was it did not name individuals involved in judicial hearings.
The Otago Daily Times understands the coach involved is Maheno coach Mark Wilson. Attempts to contact him were unsuccessful. Jackson said the person should have waited and had a discussion with the referee in the clubrooms after the game but went to the referee right after the final whistle.
It was unprofessional and he should not have carried out the actions straight after the match, Jackson said. Maheno lost 32-12 to Athletic Marist.
Jackson said the person had put his hand up, shown remorse, taken his punishment and was now free to go back to the game.
Jackson felt there was no issue with discipline in club rugby in North Otago.
‘‘We have a robust judicial system, which is working well. These things have unfortunately happened but we have stamped them out with a judicial hearing.
‘‘The focus has unfortunately been on these incidents but it was just a couple of people who should know better. The are over 100 players or so who behave themselves over the course of a season.''
