The mother of a boy who was hit by his father following a junior rugby match in Auckland said there was nothing wrong with a light smack.
The woman, who did not want to be named, said her husband had slapped their 13-year-old son for his frequent indiscretions
during the Otahuhu under-15 side's match against Eden at Otahuhu.
The boy was involved in late tackles and had a skirmish with another player during the game, infuriating his father, she said.
"He [the father] was yelling at him from the sideline to stop it and just play the game.
"But my son didn't listen and that's why my husband got really upset.
"That's when my husband did a light smack, he didn't punch him, he just slapped him on the cheek twice."
Although the woman agreed her husband hitting their son was wrong, she did not support the recently passed anti-smacking bill.
"It's just a light smack, punching is out of hand and a different story ... giving them bruises is wrong."
The husband, who is described as her son's biggest rugby supporter, is going to meet Otahuhu rugby officials tonight to discuss the matter.
The woman said they had contacted police to see if anyone had laid a complaint but none had been received so far.
The boy has been grounded from playing rugby by his parents until his "discipline and attitude" improves.
