Rugby player convicted for post-match handshakes assault
Photo:
timhester/123RF
A Taranaki rugby player, who knocked out an opponent during post-match handshakes, has been convicted of assault, and fined $300.
Spotswood premiers player Jonathan Fidow faced a charge of injures with intent to injure or assault with intent to injure for the June 2024 incident.
Judge Tony Greig, however, found Fidow did not intend to injure Coastal player Matthew Picard.
Fidow argued he had been subject to race-baiting during the game, but the judge made no finding on this.
He was satisfied Picard, who suffered a mild concussion, had been punched.
Fidow was suspended from rugby for nine weeks following a disciplinary hearing.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Takimoana creates Warriors history in courageous loss to NRLW powerhouse Newcastle
Payton Takimoana scores a try for the Warriors against Newcastle. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport Winger Payton Takimoana has become the first NZ Warriors woman to score a hattrick of tries, but her effort could not inspire her team to victory against a rampant Newcastle Knights. Warriors coach Ron Griffiths guided the Knights to back-to-back NRLW championships during his three-year tenure at the club, but had no joy on his return with his new club, as the visitors succumbed 36-20. Newcastle enjoyed all the early possession, winning a penalty and forcing a line dropout from their first set, but the Warriors weathered the storm. Five-eighth Patricia Maliepo gifted her team repeat sets with a clever kick and chase to trap the Knights behind their goal-line, but they could gain no result from that initial raid. Front-rower Harata Butler was booked for a hip-drop tackle on Knights lock Tayla Romaniuk, who bounced back up to open the scoring, powering through four tacklers for a try next to the goalposts. Newcastle doubled their advantage, when five-eighth Georgia Roche split the defence and sent captain Yasmin Clydsdale across, and the visitors looked in trouble. Knights winger Tess Staines grabbed a try on debut, propping inside sevens star Michaela Brake, and was ceremonially knighted by her teammates, as Newcastle spared no expense on their 'Try July' celebrations. Maliepo created another attacking opportunity, when fullback Botille Vetter-Welsh carried a kick into touch near her goal-line, but Warriors captain Apii Nicholls couldn't control a wayward pass and that chance went begging. Brake was impressive in the win over Parramatta Eels last week, chalking up a record 16 tacklebreaks, 243 running metres and her first NRLW try, but she found the Knights a much tougher proposition. In her third rugby league contest, she managed 107 metres running and seven tacklebreaks. Halfback Jesse Southwell threaded the Warriors defence with a kick close to the line that was chased down by another Kiwi sevens exponent, Tenika Willison, for a try. The Warriors found the scoreboard before halftime, when they won a midfield penalty that sent them into the redzone. Maliepo batted on a loose pass that put Takimoana over in the corner. Maliepo converted from the sideline and the visitors trailled 24-6 at the break. They had an immediate chance to reduce the deficit after the restart, when halfback Emily Curtain was taken out late, as she kicked, and from the penalty, Takimoana had her try double. Maliepo's sideline conversion bounced off the crossbar and out. The Warriors seemed to have wrestled momentum their way, until Jules Kirkpatrick ducked over near the posts from dummy half for Newcastle. Southwell put second-rower Evah McKewen over for a try and the Warriors were back to playing for pride. They achieved a repeat set, when Maliepo's stab-kick was knocked on near the tryline, and Nicholls - with the line open in front of her - put Takimoana over for her third. Maliepo slotted the conversion from the sideline again. Brake finally shrugged off her defenders in the dying moments, scoring in the other corner, although replays suggested she may have lost control of the grounding. The Warriors wahine return home to face Gold Coast Titans next Saturday on a short turnaround.
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
NRLW live updates: Knights v Warriors Women
Tysha Ikenasio of the Warriors scores a try as Michaela Brake of the Warriors and Apii Nicholls (captain) of the Warriors cheer. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ The Warriors women have recorded their first win of their ressurected existence, now go hunting an away scalp in Newcastle. Kick-off is at 8:15pm NZT.
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Auckland street racer clampdown: Dozens fined, cars impounded
Police set up checkpoints at known meeting points across Tāmaki Makaurau on Saturday night. Photo: Supplied / Police Police issued dozens of fines, impounded vehicles, and breath-tested thousands of drivers during a large "antisocial road user event" in Auckland on Saturday night. The coordinated crackdown - backed by the Eagle helicopter - targeted an estimated 200 vehicles involved in the illegal gathering, police said. Officers fanned out across known meeting points across Tāmaki Makaurau, setting up checkpoints and making their presence felt early in the night. More than 2500 drivers were stopped and tested for alcohol. Over 15 returned excess breath alcohol readings, while a further 70 infringements were issued for various offences. Police also ordered 71 vehicles to undergo mechanical inspections, dishing out 33 green stickers for minor defects and six pink stickers for serious safety issues. Five vehicles were impounded. Despite the size of the convoy, police said the group caused little disruption to the wider public. "Dozens of police units worked hard to disrupt the event," said Inspector Regan James. "We saw some illegal behaviour - burnouts and other dangerous driving - but staff did well to stay on top of it and break up the convoys." The operation now shifts into an investigation phase, with officers reviewing footage and other evidence to identify additional offenders. "We'll be taking strong enforcement action wherever possible," James said. "We've been very clear - there's zero tolerance for this kind of reckless behaviour on our roads." Police are encouraging the public to report antisocial driving. If it's happening in real-time, call 111. Reports can also be lodged via the non-emergency 105 line or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
