Highlanders 2020
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@Steven-Harris Yeah he signed at the end of least year on a dev contract.
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Highlanders lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit has been convicted over an assault which left the victim with a fractured jaw. Manaaki Selby-Rickit (22) appeared in the Invercargill District Court this afternoon facing a charge of reckless disregard for the safety of others. 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.
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So, what now? Will the Highlanders/NZR terminate his contract?
Who'll be his replacement if they do? -
According to the stuff article about the conviction, he may lose more than his rugby contract and $8,000:
Defence lawyer Bill Dawkins said if convicted, Selby-Rickit could be censured or disqualified from teaching. "His criminal, foolish, drunken actions place his career of teaching and rugby at risk."
Judge Bernadette Farnan said Selby-Rickit would face disciplinary action from Rugby New Zealand conviction or not. "You are remorseful, willing to attend restorative justice, sent the victim a letter, attended therapy and are able to make an emotional harm payment," Judge Farnan said. The victim said he was pleased with the judge's decision and happy Selby-Rickit "did not get off".
On Wednesday a NZ Rugby spokesperson said NZR has initiated a misconduct process which will be completed once his court process was completed.
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders 2020:
Highlanders lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit has been convicted over an assault which left the victim with a fractured jaw. Manaaki Selby-Rickit (22) appeared in the Invercargill District Court this afternoon facing a charge of reckless disregard for the safety of others. 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.
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So, what now? Will the Highlanders/NZR terminate his contract?
Who'll be his replacement if they do?I hope they don't terminate his contract.
3am in Invercargill with both parties blind drunk is no justification to further punish past what the Judicial system of NZ deemed just.
The young man needs a good job now more than ever, not to be dismissed with a "tut tut, we have to let you go to signal to all the non Highlander fans in the world that we care about their thoughts and will voluntarily fuck this kids life up to appease you...for 5 minutes"
Yes, yes he fucked his life up by doing what he did. It's his own fault.
And it is, but not with the (optional) added punishing removal of job prospects. That's just cruel.
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@Siam
I'm torn, on the one hand we've almost all done something stupid and possibly illegal while young and drunk. I don't think from the description of events that it was premeditated or something he would ever put himself in the position to do again.But if guys keep getting off for drunken violence then young players will think that they have a free pass if they are talented enough.
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@Siam I think - if they decide to terminate his contract - that they don't do that to punish him, but because he might not be able to travel to other countries for away games. He may not be able to enter Australia, Argentina, South Africa and Japan with a conviction?
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@mofitzy_ said in Highlanders 2020:
@Siam
I'm torn, on the one hand we've almost all done something stupid and possibly illegal while young and drunk. I don't think from the description of events that it was premeditated or something he would ever put himself in the position to do again.But if guys keep getting off for drunken violence then young players will think that they have a free pass if they are talented enough.
Keep getting off? It's a first offence isn't it?
I certainly can see why people get so up in arms about rugby players being able to continue their "privileged" lifestyle after convictions etc - one rule for them, one rule for us etc etc.
But isn't it better to have a young recently convicted fellow in a supportive environment, making money to support himself / family than out there with no job, no prospects etc?
I thought Sevu Reece was handled perfectly.
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@MajorRage
I mean multiple guys, the similar situation in Wellington a few years back, Reece and now this. Probably a lot more I'm forgetting.I agree the Reece situation was probably handled correctly by the way. But drunken violence can easily cross a line, one punch can kill. Would much rather kids are acutely aware of that fact - serious consequences for people who dance on that line could help bring attention to that.
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Punishing this guy further by tearing up his contract and hoping this will 'send a message' is not going to work. Drunk people do not think of consequences. Ever tried talking down a drunk when they are on a self righteous or violent crusade? Virtually impossible. Consequences are the last thing they can comprehend.
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It's a no win situation really.
Tear up his contract and you leave him high and dry, potentially spiralling further with no direction, more so if he loses his teaching too.
But by the same token, that's pretty nasty, even drunk to stomp on someone, and for him to continue his life with minimal consequences ($8k fine) and the Highlanders are able to get him travel visas, it paints a poor picture about our justice system allegedly favouring rugby players (even though I'd expect there will be plenty of examples of similar punishment for non-rugby players, they just dont make national media)
But as @Stargazer mentions above it will likely be the impact the conviction has on his travel that may ultimately sway the Highlanders.
I wo t be surprised either way they go.