Rugby: Player returning seven years into 'life' ban

Lene Malasia in action for the Hawke's Bay Unicorns rugby league side in 2006 while serving his ban from rugby. Photo / HAWKE'S BAY TODAY

Napier Technical club rugby player Lene Malasia will resume playing again on May 1, seven years after receiving a life ban for assaulting a referee.

Malasia, who also received 200 hours community work when he appeared in the Napier District Court on the assault charge after hitting referee Lance Behague, was playing for the Tech Colts against Taradale in May, 2004 when the incident occurred.

Behague received a bruised face, a cut lip and slight concussion in the attack.

"I thought life was life," said Behague when he heard the news yesterday.

"But I wish Lene all the best with his return. Hopefully he has gained the necessary life skills during his time out and learned from his mistake."

Behague completed the 2004 season but hasn't been a referee since then. He hasn't ruled out a return to refereeing.

"I may take it up again providing there are always two official touch judges to assist me. On the day of that incident I was on my own and it's tough in those circumstances," he added.

Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union's club competition manager Ian MacRae confirmed Malasia's club had successfully applied for his reinstatement.

"Should Lene appear before the judicial committee again his previous sentence and record will be taken into account," said MacRae.

"Lene is under observation by his club and should he leave Tech we must be told which club he is going to."

Malasia is expected to play for the Tech Development side but if his form on the league fields while he was serving his rugby suspension is any indication it won't take him long to secure a berth in the club's premier squad.

He was the best player in the 2005 Hawke's Bay Unicorns side and last year was a key member of the Maraenui Phoenix team which reached the grand final of the Bay's premier club competition.