A rugby club in Christchurch whose player was racially abused during a rugby final is relieved their voice has been heard.

Bronson Munro from the Waihora club's been banned from all rugby for 46 weeks after being found guilty of making racial taunts at Fijian Southbridge player Peni Manumanuniliwa​ during the club rugby final last month.

Last year, Manumanuniliwa said he was frequently the target of racial abuse.

Southbridge club secretary Harry Romana said the ban was bittersweet, and that it was "a shame something like this has happened, but we've decided to take a stand on this and our voice was heard."

However, the Waihora club is planning an appeal.

Chris Thornley, president of the club, is extremely disappointed with the ban, accusing Southbridge of "pulling out the race card" at a match two years ago.

"All the officials, everybody was standing right there [and] never heard it, yet two teenage girls fifty-five metres away heard it?" Thornley alleged. "It's a bit surprising, really."

Canterbury Rugby has encouraged others who witness racial abuse on the rugby field to come forward.