UPDATED 6.02pm: Former Wellington Rugby player Losi Filipo has been sentenced to nine months supervision on the condition that he attends a drug and alcohol assessment programme and a Living Without Violence programme.

LISTEN ABOVE: Criminal lawyer Steve Cullen spoke to Chris Lynch

Justice David Collins said Filipo stomping on the first victim's head was "a chilling act of violence" and could easily have killed the victim.

He said the minimum starting point for sentence should be two years in prison.

Discounts for mitigating factors included Filipo's age, his lack of previous convictions, the rehabilitative steps Filipo has already taken voluntarily, and his guilty plea.

He was "in no doubt" the best sentence would be one that was short of prison.

Justice Collins said Filipo has already paid a high price through the publicity the case has gained.

"Which has in itself been a form of punishment for you. As a result of that publicity, your contract with the Wellington Rugby Football Union has been brought to an end."

He said if Filipo continues with the guidance he has got through community service and counselling, he has every prospect of becoming a productive community member.  

Criminal lawyer Steve Cullen told Chris Lynch overseas contracts are out of the question.

"As his lawyer says he's not going to get a rugby contract in Japan or Britain. He'll have to work on his rugby career here."

The former Wellington rugby player chose to stick with his guilty plea for an off-field assault last year.

He pleaded guilty at the time and was discharged without conviction.

However, public outcry and a police appeal prompted Justice Collins to overturn that decision last week.

Mr Cullen said even the justice system has to allow for human error.

"We have a hierarchical system. It's expected that nobody on the planet's perfect. Judges can't get every single thing right, every moment, of every hour, of every day."

Filipo was given the option of changing his plea and standing trial, or sticking with it and being sentenced.