Players cop match ban after jumping into tussle on-field

Two Black Bull Liquor Pirates have been stood down for one game and will perform duties for their club after getting involved from the reserves bench in the on-field fracas during the game with Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist at Spriggens Park last weekend.

There were seven yellow cards by referee Gordon Ririnui in the derby game, including four players being in the sinbin at the same time.

This week, WRFU club development officer Paul Kenny decided to cite Pirates' Egelani Taito and Faitala Moala for coming off the bench to get involved in a pull-apart incident happening in the middle of the field.

Kenny said the Pirates club understood that this was unacceptable conduct and a one-week stand-down with club duties was an acceptable punishment.

"It was not a good incident, especially when the reserves are getting involved."

In addition, Marist's Ritchie Campbell and Pirates' Lasa Ulukuta were also sent warning letters by the WRFU for receiving their second yellow cards.

Kenny said the punishments should be a warning to players on the sidelines against getting involved and escalating on-field incidents.

The two Pirates will miss today's game at Spriggens Park against Harvey Round Motors Ratana, as will Ratana winger Onewa Tai who has a two-game suspension for being sent off against Utiku Old Boys.

After a week's break, the return of Tasman Tanning Premier and Senior rugby saw two red cards and 12 yellow cards handed out across the grades.