NZ Warriors coach Nathan Brown has lept to the defence of winger Marcelo Montoya, after he was handed a four-match ban from the NRL for a homosexual slur.
The Warriors will be without the 26-year-old until round 10, after he pleaded guilty to a contrary conduct charge, having been captured by on-field microphones calling North Queensland Cowboys opposite Kyle Feldt a "f*****".
And after an NRL judiciary hearing on Tuesday night, Montoya was handed the punishment that will keep him out of the Warriors' side until facing South Sydney Rabbitohs until May 14.
As the NRL originally pushed for a six week suspension, Montoya's previous good record and remorse after the fact counted in his favour as the ban was reduced to four matches.
Speaking on Wednesday, coach Brown insisted that the homophobic slur was not a reflection on Montoya's character, and that the club want to move on from the incident.
"My only comment is that it's important that everyone understands what a terrific fella Marce [Montoya] is," Brown said.
"He's a great bloke, and something got said in the heat of the battle, and we'll just move on from it.
"The main thing is that people don't judge Marce from it. He's as good a bloke as I've seen in the rugby league game in my whole life.
"It's important [that] people understand that. That's all."
Brown added that he had no concerns as to what impact the suspension will have on Montoya, who has plenty of support around him for his four matches out of action.
"He's got huge support from the club, he's got a great family. He's going to be fine. He'll move on and be better for it."
In the meantime, Montoya has been replaced in the Warriors' starting side to face Sydney Roosters this weekend by returning Kiwis captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, making his comeback after breaking his thumb at the start of the season.
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