It's not the Wild West, judge tells ex-All Black

A former All Blacks wing who punched a man was told "it's not the Wild West", by Judge Allan Roberts in Hawera District Court yesterday.

Bryce Robins, owner of Eltham's Central Tavern, was convicted and ordered to pay $1000 reparation for assaulting a patron.

Robins, 51, punched Jason Dunlop in the face and knocked him to the ground, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

Police prosecutor Steve Michael told the court the victim was with another patron who had smashed two windows outside the pub.

Robins told police that he was "hyped up and annoyed and just pissed off about having to pay all the time".

"You're over 50," Judge Roberts told Robins.

"Not many of us reach that age having the urge to hit someone in the face. This reads like something out of a Clint Eastwood movie.

"You knew police were coming and it's not the Wild West."

Robins played on the wing for the All Blacks in four mid-week games on the 1985 tour of Argentina.

- NZPA

NZS