Illawarra Rugby judiciary hands out life ban in crackdown on foul play

The association's judiciary has had a busy start to the season, with multiple bans handed out.

Tech Tahs second grade player Faati Matafeo was handed a life ban for a physical altercation with a touch judge during his side's round two loss to Shamrocks.

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On the same day, Avondale were reduced to 13 men in their first grade clash with Vikings. Willy Taiti-Taanoa was red carded for a headbutt and throwing punches, while Raymond Taumalolo was sent off for a shoulder charge.

Taiti-Taanoa was suspended for 16 weeks, with Taumalolo rubbed out for five games.

The bans have dealt Avondale's premiership chances a blow, the Wombats recent dominance challenged by Shamrocks and Shoalhaven.

Then last week Vikings saw one of their players face the judiciary, second grade's Lasipeli Livai also banned for 16 weeks after headbutting a Camden player in their round four clash.

Crofts was disappointed to see the acts of violence during what has largely been a positive start to the season, the president supporting the work of the judiciary in handing down severe punishments to the players involved.

"The message from the association has always been clear," Crofts said. "Anything of that sort will attract a judicial hearing immediately.

"Our judiciary has a record of not tolerating these types of incidents."

Tech Tahs stressed that extenuating circumstances contributed to Matafeo's behaviour, however a senior official said in a statement the club ultimately supported the judiciary's findings.

"The judiciary saw our player's actions as severe and they issued a life ban," the statement said.

"Tech Tahs believe linesmen, or assistant referees, should not be manhandled by any player."

The suspensions come as World Rugby, the sport's governing body, has embarked on a crackdown that has seen numerous red cards handed out at the professional level.

While there has been some debate over officiating of high tackles, there has been no grey area regarding violence towards officials or other players.

Crofts said the actions of a small minority were regrettable, but he was confident they were not the start of a worrying trend.

"We're back into proper rugby," he said. "I'm always concerned about red cards for foul play, I'm always very concerned about anything that involves match officials but the penalties that are handed out are a sufficient deterrent for people doing that in the future.

"It's one of those things where you get spurts of this sort of thing in any season. I'm not concerned it's setting a precedent of any sort.

"There were a couple of brain snaps and we'll move on. Hopefully the penalties handed out sends a message to anyone considering doing the same thing."