Mitch Garbutt has apologised for the punch that saw him red-carded against North Queensland Cowboys.
The Australian forward was dismissed after launching a ferocious punch that busted open Cowboys forward James Tamou, who had slapped Garbutt’s teammate Keith Galloway.
He has subsequently been banned for the next two games after being charged with grade C striking nine minutes from the end of the World Club Series, only adding to the list of players head coach Brian McDermott has out of action at the minute.
“It was a silly thing that I did,” he said.
“It’s not something that I am about, I don’t condone violence and it’s not something I want kids watching the game to see.
“Everyone that knows me knows I’m not the sort of person that does those things.
“I sought James out after the game to apologise and we sorted things out, and there were no hard feelings.
“I accepted the ban from the RFL and I’m very disappointed I won’t be out there with the boys for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be looking to move on and put it behind me.”
The big prop enjoyed a stunning start to his Rhinos career, winning the treble after only joining the club mid-way through the season.
