The Highlanders kick off thier 2020 Super Rugby season against the Sharks on February 7 in Dunedin.
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.
In other news:
1
'No place in rugby for violence': New Highlanders recruit suspended for serious misconduct
By Online Editors
Highlanders lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit has been suspended from rugby for four weeks after he was found guilty of serious misconduct in a New Zealand Rugby misconduct hearing.
Selby-Rickit was last month convicted over an assault which left the victim with a fractured jaw.
Police previously said Selby-Rickit assaulted a man outside the Night 'n Day on the corner of Dee and Esk Streets in Invercargill.
Continue reading below...
He appeared in the Invercargill District Court facing a charge of reckless disregard for the safety of others and despite calls from his lawyer for him to be discharged without conviction, Selby-Rickit was convicted and ordered to pay the victim $8000 in reparations.
Selby-Rickit, son of former All Black Hud Rickit, has since acknowledged his behaviour did not meet the standard required of a professional rugby player.
New Zealand Rugby Head of Professional Rugby Chris Lendrum said the new Highlander signing would not be available for two of the Highlanders' two pre-season fixtures, or the first two Super Rugby games of 2020.
He will be permitted to train with the team.
"We have made it clear that there is no place in rugby for violence and we expect better decisions from players when it comes to alcohol. Manaaki has been formally sanctioned with a warning, and we are requiring him to undergo counselling," the statement read.
New Zealand Rugby, the Highlanders and Selby-Rickit have also agreed a programme of counselling and monitoring to ensure he is committed to rehabilitation.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
All Blacks XV player ratings vs Munster
3
Suaalii strikes awe as Wallabies lose midfielder
4
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode
5
Latest Comments
The Saracens players are the ones who brought this habit into the England team and to be fair they rarely lose, they have a very strong winning culture. It is however very embarrassing when you suck.
Go to commentsYes but it will be very hard game for the ABs, Ireland will want some pay back and they are a fine team who can play the running dynamic game like we do. It was 3 tries all in the QF with some great rugby by both sides. We will probably see a good game and as you say not much in it. I am less worried than normal as I feel like our team is changing for the future at the moment, with the new coach, so we will get better over time. There is a lot of new talent coming through.
Go to comments