Ben Tameifuna suspended for five weeks for pushing referee Glen Jackson during ITM Cup game

GIANT Kiwi prop Ben Tameifuna has been handed a five-week suspension for pushing referee Glen Jackson during an ITM Cup game.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JULY 19: Ben Tameifuna of the Chiefs runs the ball during the Super Rugby Qualifying FInal match between the Brumbies and the Chiefs at GIO Stadium on July 19, 2014 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Postles/Getty Images)

GIANT prop Ben Tameifuna has been suspended from all rugby for five weeks for pushing referee Glen Jackson during Waikato’s ITM Cup match against North Harbour in Auckland.

The Chiefs Super Rugby front-rower was handed the ban following a three-hour hearing into the incident in which Tameifuna shoved Jackson while Waikato were defending their tryline late in a 22-16 win last Saturday. Jackson was knocked off his feet but not injured. He then yellow-carded Tameifuna, but for a separate incident.

Citing commissioner John Wootton deemed the push contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship and judicial officer Chris Morris agreed on Thursday.

Morris reduced the size of the suspension after hearing evidence from Tameifuna, Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, the Waikato coaching and management team and Jackson.

Tameifuna’s post-match apology to Jackson and subsequent remorse for the incident helped reduce the size of the ban, along with a defence that the push was instinctive rather than malicious.

“However it is imperative that players instinctively know that it is never, under any circumstances, appropriate for a player to abuse, verbally or physically, a match official,” Morris said.

Tameifuna, who turned 23 on the day of the game, is banned until October 5, making him available for Waikato’s ninth and final round game against Bay of Plenty four days later.

Originally published as Ben Tameifuna suspended for five weeks for pushing referee Glen Jackson during ITM Cup game