Former rugby union star Rod Davies faced judiciary after Noosa Dolphins and Maroochydore punch up

Former Queensland Reds star Rod ‘Rocket’ Davies will stay on the sidelines for weeks after he allegedly punched an opposition player several times. Watch the video

Noosa Dolphins player and former Queensland Reds star Rod ‘Rocket’ Davies will spend the next seven matches on the sidelines after being sent off in round one of the Sunshine Coast rugby union a-grade competition.

Davies, who joined the Dolphins in 2021, was red-carded in the 82nd minute after he was allegedly seen punching Maroochydore Swans opposition player Sam Pavlich on April 2.

Spectators said Pavlich hit Davies off the ball and took him to the ground, before a scuffle broke out and Davies allegedly punched Pavlich several times.

Maroochydore was awarded a penalty that saw the team convert the match winning field goal for the game to finish 16-15.

Davies fronted the Sunshine Coast Rugby Union judiciary panel on Wednesday night, where he was given a seven match suspension.

Noosa Dolphins player Rod Davies was red carded in the round one match against Maroochydore. Picture: PattmanSport Rugby

The result means the club will be without its star player until at least round eight of the senior men’s competition.

Sunshine Coast Rugby Union president Mike Aronsten said there was a process in place when any matter was put before the tribunal.

“We have a panel of lawyers who form our judiciary and they will hear each side’s cases, look at the referees report and maybe even take a look at some footage,” he said.

“They will make a decision based on the Rugby Australia guidelines to decide whether it’s a low range, mid range or high range offence and impose a penalty if they think it’s warranted.

“The player in question will front up, he can bring a lawyer or whoever he wants with him and the judiciary will hear it, talk to him and make a ruling.”

Rod Davies and Will Genia celebrate a second half try in 2014 at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Jono Searle

Davies, 32, boasts 58 Reds caps, 50 Biarritz caps, a Wallabies debut and representative honours with Australia in Rugby Sevens.

Before the tribunal decision, Noosa Dolphins president Jon Lewis said the incident was unfortunate.

“It’s disappointing that our players reacted like that but the matter will be dealt with by the judiciary and we will abide by those decisions,” he said on Monday.

“It’s not something that we want in the game and it’s something we will continue to work on with our players in regards to on field discipline.”

Mr Lewis was contacted again after the tribunal handed down its seven match penalty decision.

Maroochydore Swans president John Talbot declined to comment on the incident or the tribunal’s decision.