Attack merits stern penalty, says chairman

Kevin Tamati

The "idiots" who assaulted an official during a rugby league game on Saturday may have played their last match, an official says.

The Hawke's Bay premier club rugby league grand final between MAC Pacific Warriors and the Pirate Panthers at Bill Matthewson Park was called off early due to the increasing niggle which culminated in the touch judge being assaulted by two Warriors players.

Hawke's Bay Rugby League chairman Kevin Tamati knows tempers can flare on the field, however he said officials remained "off limits".

"We are really disgusted that our official was manhandled," he said. "The players who assaulted the official will be given a penalty worthy of the crime."

Mr Tamati said the touch judge was "shaken not stirred" and was considering pressing charges.

"These clowns take it upon themselves to lash out and paint an embarrassing picture for the game. With this punishment we want to show that we have the backs of our officials and won't tolerate this behaviour from anyone.

"These are volunteers and they are already few and far between, we need to show that we support them."

Mr Tamati said sideline and on-field behaviour was a major concern in this country and the incident exacerbated the notion there was a problem with people watching and playing sport being unable to control themselves.

"It's worrying that people aren't listening or taking notice, maybe the punishment that we are going to dish out will," Mr Tamati said.

The board met last night after consulting New Zealand Rugby League to discuss what action to take.

They made the unanimous decision that harsh action must be taken against the players involved.

Once all the official reports have been collected, the judiciary will make their decision on what the penalty will be.

"There should be a decision by the end of the week," Mr Tamati said.