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Henjak back in Perth
17th February 2008, 14:45 WST
Under-fire Western Force halfback Matt Henjak has returned to Perth from South Africa to attend a tribunal hearing into his alleged involvement in a fight which left team-mate Haig Sare with a broken jaw.
Henjak played in the Force’s 17-10 Super 14 loss to the Sharks in Durban yesterday, the first of three matches the Perth-based franchise will play on its South Africa tour.
He will front a serious misconduct tribunal hearing at 4pm Perth time on Tuesday to answer allegations his actions contributed to the injury to Force back Sare.
“The lawyer representing Matt Henjak had requested that the tribunal hearing be further adjourned until the team returns from South Africa to allow Henjak to attend the hearing in person and not by way of video or telephone link-up,” a statement from the Force read.
“The chairman of the tribunal would not agree to the request, and, as a consequence of this, the RugbyWA Board resolved that Henjak return to Perth immediately so that he may attend the tribunal hearing in person.”
Henjak has been involved in number of off-field incidents throughout his career and became the first Wallaby in 40 years to be sent home from a tour - also in South Africa - in 2005.
Meanwhile, RugbyWA has sought to hose down speculation they are in the market for another halfback in order to replace Henjak.
“Adam Clarke, a back up halfback to Henjak, sustained a season-ending neck injury in early January and a process to secure a replacement was commenced some time ago,” the statement read.
“The ARU has been assisting in this process.”