Rugby player sidelined after judge reverses his own ruling

A judge has reversed a decision he made earlier this week to allow a rugby player suspended after biting two players to take to the field today - the first day of the season.

Mr Justice Michael Hartmann told the Court of First Instance he may have overestimated the impact that the suspension would have on the player, Andrew Wong Kee, given that it was the Valley Rugby Football Club that made the original application for the ban to be lifted.

'The applicant is the club, not the player,' Mr Justice Hartmann said.

He also said the authority of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU), 'which keeps a violent game in the constraints of gentlemanly conduct' could be seen to be undermined if the temporary lifting of the ban was kept in place.

Wong received the 10-month suspension, which expires on December 27, after he was found guilty of violating the HKRFU's code of conduct in two games.

The subcommittee found he bit Hong Kong Football Club winger Owain Morrison's right hand and Craig Chudleigh on the arm during two matches on September 15 last year and January 12 this year.