Young rugby player faces ban over ref shove

An under-16 North Otago representative rugby player looks set to spend considerable time on the sideline after pushing a South Canterbury referee.

The young player will face the South Canterbury Rugby Union judiciary tomorrow night as the game was played in Waimate.

The incident happened after the South Canterbury under-16 side scored a try late in the game.

The North Otago player sounded off, abusing him, so promising 18-year-old referee Jimmy Ryan asked him to calm down and when he wouldn't, showed him a yellow card for back chat.

As Ryan walked away, he was shoved in the back, making him stumble, but not fall to the ground.

Ryan then escalated the yellow to a red card, ordering the player off.

The player apologised to Ryan immediately after the game but is still likely to face a severe penalty.

No one from the South Canterbury Rugby Referees Association will comment on the incident until after the judicial hearing.

Ryan is in his fourth year of refereeing and last year received the Brian Dore Trophy as the most promising referee.

He is also set to officiate at this year's South Island under 16 tournament after his ability and potential were recognised.

It appears, however, a small number of players perceive they can take Ryan to task as the 18-year-old referee is recognised as a peer, rather than an official, and they can take advantage of that.

Last year Harlequins under-18 player Darren Bolt was suspended from rugby for 2 1/2years after he he first intimidated, then man-handled referee Ryan, who had his collar twisted and was dragged backwards a metre.

Ryan had shown a Bolt a yellow card for playing a man off the ball.

The SCRRA did show some innovation at the time along with the judiciary, with a restorative justice approach.

The decision stated Bolt's ban could be reduced to 18 months if certain criteria were met. He needed to complete an anger management course, apologise in person to the referee and undertake a referees' training course and referee games for 12 months.

The young players's ban however must also reflect that officials, no matter age, are sacrosanct.

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