Rugby club officials suspended

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

FOUR club officials have been suspended following an incident during a premier rugby match at Rugby Park.

The incident occurred when four officials went on to the field following a scuffle involving players from both Ngatapa and Pirates sides in the second half of a game on Friday May 6.

Original sanctions were appealed by Ngatapa and heard by the Poverty Bay Rugby Union appeal committee.

PBRFU chief executive Marty Davis said the four officials, two from Ngatapa and two from Pirates, breached law 6 during a premier game at Rugby Park and had been suspended for one, two or three weeks depending on the aggravating features determined by the disciplinary and appeals committees.

“I would say that these situations (officials entering the field of play) are meant to be left in the hands of the referee and captains to resolve.

“Both captains and the referee are to be applauded for their conduct in this instance. That has been acknowledged in other correspondence and comments,” he said.

Entering playing area was misconductThe action of entering the playing area amounted to misconduct and an end sanction of two weeks suspension was imposed on Ngatapa’s Anthony Karauria.

“We are still to receive the full reasoned decision but suffice to say that the outcome is satisfactory to the union,” Mr Davis said.

Steve Smith and Jordan Cooper from Pirates received one week suspension.

The other Ngatapa official who received three weeks has been granted name suppression.

Smith, the Pirates coach, told The Gisborne Herald last week that he had learned his lesson and would not make the same mistake again.

“We breached the laws by going on to the field of play and we have to accept the judiciary decisions,” he said.

The media release from the PBRFU stated Ngatapa rugby co-ordinator Martin Bayley said the club was satisfied with the outcome.

“Common sense has prevailed and now we want to move on and focus on the game today.”