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Hawke's Bay coach Peter Russell says the New Zealand Rugby Union's (NZRU) judiciary has set a benchmark by banning prop Clint Newland for 10 weeks for a punching offence.
Newland was last night suspended until October 20 by the judiciary following a hearing at NZRU headquarters in Wellington.
The hearing was called after Newland was cited for punching Wellington prop Neemia Tialata during an Air New Zealand Cup match, won 8-6 by Hawke's Bay last Saturday in Napier.
Russell was disappointed at the length of Newland's ban, which rules him out for the remainder of the Air NZ Cup season, and said the possibility of an appeal would be discussed by Hawke's Bay officials today.
"I'm probably bitter at the moment with the decision but everyone has to accept that and move on," he said on Wednesday.
"Whether or not we decide to appeal tomorrow we have to focus solely on our campaign from now on."
The Hawke's Bay team, minus Newland, are to travel from Napier to Blenheim today to complete preparations for their next match against Tasman on Thursday night.
Russell said he did not condone violence on the rugby field and he voiced his disappointment about the incident to Newland after the match.
"You could probably understand where the judiciary was coming from and they have definitely put a line in the sand by handing out a lengthy suspension."
Newland, who expressed his regret about the incident to the judiciary, left the hearing several hours before his suspension was announced.
The incident, replayed countless times on television this week, occurred during a lineout when Newland flattened Tialata.
Tialata, who was knocked unconscious, was helped from the field and took no further part in the match.
The judicial committee of chairman Nick Davidson QC, Merlin Shannon and Jonathan Tanner viewed video footage of the incident and received reports from the Wellington team doctor, Wellington coach Aussie McLean and Tialata.
None of the match officials saw the incident.
Tialata, who suffered mild concussion, has since been unable to train at a camp with the All Blacks in Christchurch, although there has been no suggestion his place in New Zealand's World Cup squad is in jeopardy.
The committee said the force of the blow which struck Tialata "carries severe risk".
At the hearing, Newland admitted the offence but said he was reacting to what he considered to be Tialata's interference at lineout time.
The committee considered the punch was out of proportion to any interference.
Newland denied that the punch was premeditated and described it as a "spur of the moment" action, which the committee accepted.
"The player, through his counsel, made a short address which demonstrated a genuine contrition and sense of shame both in the impact on Tialata, the game as a whole and his Hawke's Bay union," the committee said in a statement.
"He did not seek to minimise his conduct and the committee was struck by his openness and genuine remorse."
In an earlier hearing, Taranaki No 8 Jarrad Hoeata was suspended for one game after being found guilty of making a dangerous charge in the match against North Harbour last Saturday.
- NZPA
