Editorial: Actions hard to fathom

It appears former Bay of Plenty Steamers player Simon Chisholm may have let himself and his code down by allegedly punching another player during a club rugby match at the weekend.

Mr Chisholm suffered a brain injury and has been unable to play rugby for months after being knocked out by Te Puna player Uenuku Pieta during a game at Maramatanga Park in July last year.

Pieta, a farmhand, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to injure and was sentenced in March to 200 hours' community work and ordered to pay $500 reparation.

He was also banned from playing for 12 months.

Following Pieta's sentencing, Mr Chisholm labelled the Te Puna player a "coward"and told the Bay of Plenty Times he was still suffering the effects of the punch.

"That fella's taken rugby away from me. I get headaches every day because of him," he said at the time.

"There are people out there that think doing this kind of thing is acceptable.

"People don't realise their actions and what they can do to people."

But in an ironic twist, Mr Chisholm was red-carded on Saturday at Tauranga Domain for allegedly punching another player during a match between his Te Puke Sports team and Tauranga Sports.

Mr Chisholm had just returned to playing after nearly a year on the sidelines.

Saturday's referee, Richard Jensen, has reportedly confirmed that Mr Chisholm was sent off for punching an opponent in the face.

In a previous column, I gave Mr Chisholm credit for speaking out about the ongoing impact of the blow. However, actions speak louder than words and it appears Mr Chisholm's alleged actions on Saturday are in stark contrast to his comments of a few months back.

Given the impact on-field violence has had on Mr Chisholm's life, it is unfathomable that he would lash out at other players.

Mr Chisholm has been ordered to appear before the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union judiciary committee tomorrow. If administrators take a hard line on this sort of behaviour - and find Mr Chisholm to be at fault- then the judiciary should send a strong message.