Life ban for NZ player who punched referee
May 31, 2001

A New Zealand rugby union player has been banned for life after he punched a referee during a match last weekend.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union made the announcement, after Eastern Pirates senior reserve player Tama Haimona admitted to striking referee Lance Ruthe during their match against local side Ngongotaha.

Haimona had been sinbinned for foot-tripping during the game but made a comment to the referee who then sent him off.

Haimona responded with a punch.

"Haimona agreed with the referee's report that he had struck the referee and it was a stupid thing in the heat of the moment," said union chairman David Smail.

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