Sentencing winger Lucky Mulipola yesterday for a one-punch assault on a man in the Octagon on April 5, Judge Paul Kellar said the consequences of just one punch could be "very severe indeed".
There were serious and long-lasting effects on the victim.
"You will be aware it could have been even worse," he told Mulipola. "Sometimes people die from even a single punch."
He sentenced Mulipola to 180 hours' community work, and ordered him to pay $5000 emotional harm reparation to the victim.
The incident happened about 5am after an associate of Mulipola approached the victim and began to berate him about the style of top he was wearing.
The victim tried to defuse the situation and was "not aggressive at all", the judge said.
Without warning, Mulipola punched the left side of the victim's face, knocking him backwards on to the road.
He received mouth and elbow lacerations, a loose tooth and concussion.
The physical effects were probably the least of it, the judge said.
The victim had been profoundly affected mentally and emotionally.
The victim estimated there had been a $96,000 loss to his business, the judge said.
Mulipola's counsel David Robinson said alcohol was the clear issue.
Mulipola accepted he was intoxicated at the time.
There had been public criticism of the Highlanders' failure to perform earlier in the night. Mulipola found it hard to cope with this.
Further, the actions of an associate who "stirred up" the incident were significant.
At a restorative justice conference, Mulipola accepted responsibility and expressed genuine remorse and willingness to repair some of the harm done.
Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said he could not comment on whether Mulipola would face further disciplinary action.
"We have been waiting for the outcome of the court case before we do our employer-employee bit, which is a process we work through with New Zealand rugby," Mr Reid said.
