Banned rugby player fought opponent on-field week before striking referee

A rugby player in the Hunter region of New South Wales banned from the game for 10 years for striking a referee was caught on camera apparently kicking and punching an opposition player just the week before.

Mark Meafua faced a judiciary hearing last night over the referee incident that occurred during the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union (NHRU) under-19s grand final on Saturday.

Footage from BarTV Sprts shows Meafua hitting referee Niklas Gaal in the face.

The Newcastle Herald reported Meafua, 18, read from a three-page apology letter at the two-hour hearing.

Meafua was set to receive the Jack Scott Medal, presented to the best and fairest player in the under-19s competition, but he is now ineligible.

Despite telling the judiciary he was remorseful for the referee incident, NHRU found Meafua guilty of "physical abuse of an official". He was also found guilty of striking with his elbow, resulting in a 10-match ban with both penalties to be served concurrently.

He has until close of business Friday to appeal against the sentence.

Meafua was arrested at his home in Rutherford on Saturday night and charged with common assault and will face Maitland Local Court on October 4.

More vision has also been released of Meafua kicking and attempting to punch an opposition player in a previous game the week before.

The footage appears to show Meafua being knocked over in a rugby match.

Getting up, he kicks out at the player who knocked him to the ground, before punching him.

He then runs back to the defensive line as play continues.