Wynne Gray: Ban tough on Ben, but the message must get through

Ben Tameifuna. Photo / Paul Taylor

Five weeks for pushing referee Glenn Jackson - I guess that's about a week for every metre Ben Tameifuna sent him sprawling.

At first glance, it appears to be a stiff sentence when you compare it against the penalties for some of the more violent acts on the field.

And all sorts of references were given at the hearing about the prop's character, and how he acknowledged his actions were inexcusable and apologised to Jackson straight after the match.

But since Webb Ellis picked up the leather balloon, not man-handling the referee in any way has been an inviolate part of the code. Even questioning officials used to require a written letter or evidence you were the captain of a team.

Other codes have allowed players to encroach into the referee's space without sanction with the laughable situation that every Tom, Dick and Luciano debates decisions while prodding the officials to emphasise their grievance.

There was no mention in the NZRU decision that Tameifuna was colour blind and unable to distinguish pink from the other colours on display in the provincial championship.

If Tameifuna thought it was a teammate getting too close in the defensive line, why would he shove him forward to take him out of action?

If he thought it was an opponent, why did he shove him instead of burying him in a tackle?

Tameifuna's claim, which judicial officer Chris Morris accepted, was that he was defending his tryline and moving the referee was an instinctive move "motivated by playing the game".

It was a poor decision and the big fella had a brain fade. It's not uncommon in sport but the deterrents must be strong.

No matter what you think of referees or how they have diddled your team or been unfair on one of your relatives, they have to be protected.

Finding, training and retaining quality officials is one of rugby's major issues as the complex laws continue to befuddle even those with a lifetime involvement.

Referees are in one of the best seats in the house but he is only one set of eyes (forget the touchies) against a full-house at the ground and round the world who have access to slo-mo replays.

They will get knocked over in general play when they get in the wrong position or are blindsided. Nigel Owens, Steve Walsh and Stuart Dickinson are among many who have chewed the grass. They accepted those accidents.

Jackson apparently was genial when Tameifuna apologised after the game. Good on both of them, but the message has to be very loud and extra clear, that physical abuse of a referee will not be tolerated.