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ARU rubber-stamps Henjak's dismissal from Western Force

Former Wallaby scrumhalf Matt Henjak's immediate rugby career in Australia is over.

Yesterday, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said it supported the recommendation from a Rugby Western Australia committee to terminate the professional playing contract of Western Force scrumhalf, who was found guilty of savagely punching a teammate in a hotel bar.

An ARU statement said because of the serious nature of the Feb. 10 incident and taking into account Henjak's previous disciplinary record, it agrees that "contract termination ... is a fit and proper punishment."

After a hearing lasting more than eight hours on Tuesday, Rugby Western Australian chairman Geoff Stooke announced that Henjak and young winger Haig Sare were both culpable in the fracas but Henjak was more to blame. News of the fight emerged two weeks ago when Sare was treated for a broken jaw.

Sare, who was sidelined for six weeks because of the injured jaw, was banned by the judiciary panel for eight weeks.

Henjak has been involved in off-field incidents throughout his career. He was the first Wallaby in 40 years to be sent home from a tour after he was involved in a nightclub fight in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2005.

ARU chief executive John O'Neill said yesterday the national union was willing to help Henjak in his future endeavors.

"We recognize the potential impact this action will have on Matt Henjak, but as the governing body of the game in this country we must always be aware of upholding the standards and values of the code," O'Neill said. "Poor behavior, and particularly when it relates to serial offenders, will not be tolerated."

"At the same time, we will not be casting Matt Henjak aside without any regard for his future," he said.

O'Neill said the ARU would discuss options for rehabilitation and counseling for Henjak with the player's management.

Henjak could take up rugby offers overseas, play rugby league or return to Australian rugby if he is rehabilitated.

"If there is a genuine effort by Matt to see the error of his ways and undergo rehabilitation and proper counseling and say in 12 months time if he was back on the straight and narrow, then I wouldn't shut the door on re-entry into professional rugby," O'Neill said.

"I think if he's well advised, and at his age, and looking at himself in the mirror and saying `Hey, I've got a bit of a fork in the road decision here,' one would hope he would take the right road," O'Neill said.

The 26-year-old Henjak played for the ACT Brumbies before moving to the Force in 2006. He played four Tests for Australia in 2004 and had a short stint with British club Harlequins later that year.
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