A former Mate Ma'a Tonga player is in hot water after letting his emotions get the better of him and flooring an opponent during a recent rugby league match in Australia.
Burleigh Bears hooker Pat Politoni could be hit with a lengthy suspension after he punched Townsville halfback Michael Parker-Walshe in the jaw during yesterday's Queensland Intrust Super Cup match.
The incident happened after Politoni had already been sent to the bin for stopping a try-scoring opportunity from an offside position.
Parker-Walshe decided to congratulate Politoni on the dismissal with a pat on the head as he went to leave the field, but the gesture didn't go down well and Politoni turned around and landed a quick right hook.
The punch instantly floored Parker-Walshe, who was tended to by trainers as a brawl broke out nearby.
Two more players were sent to the bin for their involvement in the brawl while Politoni's dismissal was upgraded to a sending off.
Townsville won the heated match 16-10.
Politoni played four Tests for Mate Ma'a Tonga from 2013 to 2015 and has 16 NRL appearances to his name with the Tigers, Sharks and Titans.
The 28-year-old's last NRL game was for the Titans in 2017.
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