KEY POINTS:
All Black Sitiveni Sivivatu will have marriage guidance counselling at the behest of his employers, the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Sivivatu, who last month was discharged without conviction after pleading guilty to assaulting his wife, Suliana, has been reprimanded by the NZRU for serious misconduct.
He was ordered to undergo marriage guidance counselling, which will be co-ordinated by his pastor.
A Rugby Union management team member will ensure the counselling is carried out.
"The formal warning puts him on notice that we take the matter very seriously," said deputy CEO Steve Tew, "while the requirement for counselling is to help Siti work to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again."
The conduct of the All Blacks and Chiefs winger was reviewed by NZRU professional rugby manager Neil Sorensen and All Blacks manager Darren Shand at a hearing this week.
"Siti has faced the courts and, as a result of that verdict, was subject to intense public scrutiny," Mr Tew said.
"In the context of our misconduct process, it was important to ensure that any additional punishment from the NZRU was commensurate with the offence," he said.
Sivivatu issued the following statement through the NZRU:
"My wife and I are pleased with this result and we will move forward together from now on. I look forward to concentrating on my rugby in the weeks ahead."
