WALES' referees will meet on Monday to decide whether to strike over what they consider the lenient ban handed out to Newport full back Percy Montgomery.

The South African star was banned for two years for pushing over touch-judge Peter Rees during a Welsh Premier League match at Swansea last month.

But 18 months of the ban was suspended and with the punishment starting from last Tuesday, it means Monty will miss only three months of the new season.

The referee has expressed satisfaction with the hearing but says he will abide by the Welsh Society of Rugby Union Referees' judgement on the issue.

The society's secretary, Hugh Banfield, said: "Feelings are running high and a number of possible courses of action will be discussed.

"We are gathering the views of referees and have called an emergency meeting for Monday night."

He added: "There are two main concerns. First is the safety of referees because 95 per cent of referees referee on their own. And secondly there's recruitment and retention.

"I appreciate the problems facing the WRU with the legal situation that they faced.

"However, I think the signal going out now is going to be a very difficult signal for us to defend to referees."

The legal situation was that the Welsh Rugby Union disciplinary committee were advised a long ban would almost certainly lead to Montgomery successfully taking them to court for restraint of trade.

The views of the majority of people from all over the world visiting the Planet Rugby website is that Montgomery has been dealt with firmly but fairly.

But former WRU director of referees Ken Rowlands claimed the action against Montgomery was lenient and farcical.

l Wales coach Steve Hansen has denied as pure speculation suggestions he will coach New Zealand Super 12s outfit Otago Highlanders.

"This is just media talk," he said. "These are just rumours at this stage. I am very happy with my job at the WRU."