Rugby brawl fallout

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RUGBY

A POVERTY Bay Rugby Football Union judicial committee last night imposed a total of six weeks suspensions on three players and sanctioned another after last weekend’s brawl involving OBM and YMP premier players.

YMP forward Simonne Akurangi received three weeks, teammate and winger Te Peehi Fairlie two weeks and OBM No.8 Ngahiwi Manuel one week for their actions in the incident at Rugby Park near halftime on Saturday.

OBM forward Jacob Cook, yellow-carded after the incident, received a warning from the committee.

The incident occurred in reaction to Cook’s late tackle on YMP first five-eighth Brian Whaitiri after he kicked the ball out from a penalty to end the first half.

Akurangi’s suspension means he will miss the Lee Bros Shield semifinal and, if YMP beat either Ngatapa or OBM in that semi, the final as well.

Fairlie is out of the semi but will be eligible for the final if YMP make it. His suspension starts tomorrow.

Second-placed YMP are on course to meet third-placed Ngatapa in the playoffs.

However, if Ngatapa were to lose to Tapuae tomorrow and OBM were to beat top-of-the-table Waikohu, then Ngatapa would drop to fourth and face Waikohu in the semis.

Manuel will miss tomorrow’s match against Waikohu but will be available for the playoffs.

Cook is eligible to play tomorrow.

Poverty Bay Rugby Union chief executive Josh Willoughby said the three-man judicial committee based their decisions solely on “the evidence before them last night”.

“They heard from referee Royce Maynard and people who were at the game, and viewed video evidence.

“It’s extremely disappointing that a judicial committee had to be used and especially so close to the business end of the season.

“But we can’t have players being involved in incidents such as last weekend. We want to get rid of all foul play in the game.”

YMP coach Steve Smith said his club were considering an appeal.

“We have 48 hours to make an appeal and I will be talking to the club officials committee today before making any decisions regarding appeals,” Smith said.

OBM acting chairman Jodie Cook said they would be discussing the processes of the judicial meeting with the PBRFU and until then would not comment further.