The Newcastle Knights have stood down centre Tautau Moga for two games following his court appearance last week.
Moga was in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday where he escaped having a conviction recorded for slapping a taxi driver twice after a day at Newcastle races last December.
The 25-year-old was placed on a six-month conditional release order, with the magistrate accepting Moga's crime fell within the lower range of assault and that he had expressed remorse for his actions to the victim afterwards.
On Saturday the Knights released a brief statement that Moga had been stood down for two matches.
The suspension will come into play from this weekend, ruling him out of Saturday's Canterbury Cup NSW match.
Moga will also face the Knights' disciplinary committee at a date to be determined and is expected to be fined.
Moga returned to the paddock last weekend for the first time since last April, playing 35 minutes in a round-one win over Newtown.
He had been named at centre again this week but has now been stood down.
Moga has played four games for the Knights after arriving as a high-profile signing from Brisbane.
