SHANE HURNDELL
Threatening to get a referee "another day up town" has seen Napier Technical premier club rugby player Mark Malasia suspended for 20 weeks.
Malasia, who abused referee Marty Hantz after his side's 105-0 loss to Havelock North on Saturday, received a 10-week suspension at a Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union judicial hearing on Tuesday night. His club's committee agreed to double the suspension which means second five-eighth Malasia will be unable to play again until 10 weeks into next year's club competition.
"I know we're bottom of the table and struggling for players but we can't put up with this sort of behaviour. We've got to be seen to be supporting the union," Napier Technical club captain and premier team co-manager Cyril Whitburn said today.
Malasia's brother, Lene Malasia, received a life-ban two seasons ago after punching a referee and part of his punishment was refereeing some age group games. Whitburn said Mark may also be told to referee some junior fixtures. In a report to Tuesday night's meeting, Hantz said Malasia approached him in the carpark after Saturday's game, abused him and told him he wanted to give him a hiding.
While there was no physical attack Malasia told Hantz he would get him "another day up town."
At the hearing Malasia apologised for the incident and stated it wouldn't happen again. He denied threatening to get Hantz "another day up town."
Whitburn's co-manager John Orringe confirmed the incident was a result of frustration caused by the "substantial loss" and their club didn't condone what occurred.
Union rugby manager Dave Stevenson said his union wouldn't tolerate such behaviour.
"It's very difficult to get referees and without referees you don't have a game," he added.
Hawke's Bay's referee education officer Greg Davey is pleased to see the union supporting his referees.
"We've got to stamp out abuse of players and it's great to see the union backing us. Referees are volunteers in their chosen sport just like coaches and players," Davey said.
"This suspension is definitely a step in the right direction. One of the reasons we lose referees is abuse ... we don't need it," he added.
When Lene Malasia received his suspension he became a league regular and is regarded as one of the outstanding players for his EITSA club and Hawke's Bay Unicorns. While Mark Malasia couldn't be contacted it wouldn't be a surprise if he followed his brother's footsteps as he played for EITSA in the Eastern Alliance last year.
Fellow Napier Technical midfielder Asa Ene also plays for EITSA.
RUGBY: Cracking down on abuse
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