The decision to suspend a Waihora Rugby Club player for 46 weeks will be appealed by the rugby club.
Bronson Munro was suspended from all rugby matches and on-field activities until May 31, 2017 after racially abusing a Fijian rugby player.
Southbridge player Peni Manumanuniliwa copped abuse from the 23-year-old at a Canterbury combined country rugby final on June 11.
Munro has been a Canterbury Maori representative for three years. He was playing for Waihora Rugby Club at the time.
It's believed Manumanuniliwa was called a "black c***" by Munro after he was penalised for a high tackle.
Munro denies making the remarks.
"We would like to express thanks to the match officials that were called to give evidence. As the only independent witnesses, they did not hear any racial abuse," said the club.
Munro had been under investigation by the Canterbury Rugby Football Union committee, who last night found him guilty of 'Acts or Statements that are discriminatory by reason of Religion, Race, Sex or National or Ethnic Origin'.
Canterbury Rugby's general manager of community rugby, Tim Gilkison, said the suspension was at the serious end of the sanction available to the committee.
"This sort of racial abuse is simply unacceptable, either in rugby or in society in general", said Gilkison.
"We are committed to doing anything in our power to stamp out this sort of behaviour in our game, but we can only act when we receive a complaint."
The Waihora Rugby Club has also been put on notice with respect to conduct by players and spectators at any future rugby games.
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