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FOOTAGE: Player (18) banned for 10 years for sickening attack on referee

By Ian Cameron
Footage courtesy of Bar Sports TV

An 18-year-old Australian rugby player has been banned for 10 years for attacking a referee.

The sickening incident occurred during the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union U19s Grand Final.

Maitland’s Mark Meafua received the ban for striking referee Niklas Gaal during the match last weekend and the incident was recorded by BarTV Sports.

Following the incident Meafua was arrested at his Rutherford home and was subsequently charged with common assault. He is due before a local court in October.

The Newcastle Herald reports Meafua read out a three-page apology letter during a two-hour judiciary hearing this week.