Waikato prop Ben Tameifuna has been suspended from all rugby for five weeks for pushing referee Glen Jackson during Waikato’s NPC match against North Harbour in Auckland.

The Chiefs front-rower was handed the ban following a three-hour hearing into the incident in which he shoved Jackson while Waikato were defending their tryline late in a 22-16 win on Saturday.

Jackson was knocked off his feet but not injured. He then yellow-carded Tameifuna, but for a separate incident.

Citing commissioner John Wootton deemed the push contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship and judicial officer Chris Morris agreed on Thursday.

Morris reduced the size of the suspension after hearing evidence from Tameifuna, Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, the Waikato coaching and management team and Jackson.

Tameifuna’s post-match apology to Jackson and subsequent remorse for the incident helped reduce the size of the ban, along with a defence that the push was instinctive rather than malicious.

“However it is imperative that players instinctively know that it is never, under any circumstances, appropriate for a player to abuse, verbally or physically, a match official,” Morris said.

Tameifuna, who turned 23 on the day of the game, is banned until October 5, making him available for Waikato’s ninth and final round NPC game against Bay of Plenty four days later.