'No place in rugby for violence': New Highlanders recruit suspended for serious misconduct

By NZ Herald

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.

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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.