Blacks breakaway Mark Meafua, 18, was on Sunday charged with common assault after he allegedly struck promising young referee Niklas Gaal in the face during the second-half of Maitland’s 28-3 loss to Wanderers. 

According to witnesses, a few moments earlier, Meafua had been involved in a scuffle after the Blacks players objected to a Wanderers’ tackle. 

Gaal, 19, was in the process of issuing Meafua a yellow card, when the player allegedly struck him across the face with what is believed to be an open hand.

Meafua was removed from the field, but witnesses say he returned to apologise. 

The entire incident was captured on video by BarTV Sports, but the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union has decided, so far, not to make the footage public. 

Gaal, who is considered among the Hunter’s best young refereeing prospects, declined to comment about the alleged assault on Sunday. 

But he was widely praised for his handling of the incident and received a standing ovation when, after consulting with other officials, he decided to referee the remainder of the game. 

Police said he suffered minor injuries after allegedly being struck in the jaw. 

The ugly incident shocked and outraged the hundreds gathered at the ground and drew widespread condemnation on social media, but officials stressed that, while Meafua’s alleged actions were unacceptable, they had a duty of care to look after him during the process.  

Meafua will face the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union judiciary and code of conduct committee on a charge of “physical abuse of match officials”, which carries either a 24, 48 or 96 week penalty, with a life ban reserved for the most serious cases, according to Australian Rugby Union guidelines. 

He left the ground on Saturday before police arrived and he was later arrested at his home in Rutherford and charged with common assault, which carries a maximum of two years in jail.

He will face Maitland Local Court in October. 

NHRU general manager Andy Fairfull said while making contact with a referee was “unacceptable”, the association had a duty of care to look after the player’s mental state as well.  

But Fairfull said the incident was particularly problematic for a code that is trying to recruit young referees.

“It's really unfortunate from that perspective,” he said.

“We're trying to attract young referees into the game and if they are concerned they are going to get physically abused while doing it, they don't get paid enough for that type of behaviour.

“It makes it very difficult to recruit referees.”

Maitland Rugby Club president Ben Emmett said it was an “ugly incident” that had no place in the sport.

“This evening, what should have been the culmination of an outstanding season of Colts Rugby from both The Blacks and Wanderers was tarnished by an ugly incident that has no place in our sport,” Emmett posted on Facebook on Saturday night.

“The Maitland Rugby Club prides itself upon the principles of fair play, honesty and respect for others.

“This is especially true of those individuals that are chosen to officiate our games and ensure that they are played in the true spirit of rugby. 

“We cannot, and will not, condone any behaviours that threaten or devalue the remarkable place that referees and officials play in our game.

“This is never more true than when physical contact with any official is made.

“The Maitland Rugby Club refuses to accept any actions that may bring our great sport into disrepute and will work with all parties and support them through the processes as defined by the competition in relation to this incident.

“The Blacks will standby any subsequent determinations made against an individual for whom this behaviour is an aberration and completely out of character.

“Finally, the Maitland Rugby Club wish to thank this evenings Referee, Nicklas Gaal for his contribution to what was an otherwise outstanding match and to congratulate Wanderers RFC on their successful season.”

Those around the club said Meafua was “genuinely remorseful” for what happened. 

“This is not indicative of Maitland Rugby Club,” Emmett said.

“We are the ones that have been breeding more referees than any other club.”

In fact, ironically, Gaal is a Maitland Blacks junior who came up through the ranks before focusing on refereeing. 

The Maitland Mercury reported last year that Gaal was set to make history by becoming the Newcastle Hunter Rugby Union's youngest first grade referee.

Gaal has been identified by the ARU and has taken part in two referee development programs where he came out in the top two participants.

Newcastle Rugby Union Referee Association President Bob Hawes stressed that what happened during Saturday’s grand final was an “isolated incident”. 

“I spoke to a few old heads last night and one of them said he can only remember one other incident like this in Newcastle in the last 30 years,” Mr Hawes said. 

“As much as it is sensationalized because of what it is, these things really are isolated.

“It’s not something we have to deal with normally.”

Mr Hawes said the game was working hard on eliminating code of conduct issues.