Kerry Ilalio bags 60-week playing ban for attack on Simon Lancaster

Kerry Ilalio of the Rolleston club has been slapped with a lengthy ban after he tried to strangle his opponent in a Canterbury club match.

The player appeared before the Ellesmere sub union's independent judicial panel, of which two lawyers were present last week.

He was found guilty of his actions, and bagged a 60-week playing ban for the attack on his opponent. Illaio had only returned to action two weeks beforehand after serving a ban handed to him for four play in 2018.

Ilalio’s victim, 20-year-old Prebbleton division two player Simon Lancaster, told Stuff he was at the bottom of the ruck when he got punched several times by the attacker.

He said:

"He punched me in the private parts and then the face.

"I grabbed hold of him and said there’s no need for that and obviously he took offence to that and held me down by the neck and started choking me. I was seeing stars at one point, it was real hard to breathe."

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Lancaster went further saying the game continued for another three of four phases before the referee had to stop the game after noticing that Ilalio was strangling his victim.

Ilalio was immediately sent off, while Lancaster had to leave the field shortly afterwards due to difficulty with breathing, with the attack reportedly leaving him with a sore throat and difficulty swallowing the next day.

He added via casinos online:

"I think four years off rugby should help learn the lesson, I don’t think going to the police is necessary.

Rolleston club president Paul Frewen strongly opposed Ilalio’s actions.

Rolleston, via Arsenal Blogs, strongly opposed Ilalio's actions and he said as quoted via Rugby Pass that:

"Violence is not acceptable anytime, or anywhere.

"This type of behaviour is deeply concerning and does not reflect our values as a club.

"We have visited the player involved and are offering support and guidance."