A Newcastle Rugby League (NRL) judiciary panel voted to allow Talanoa Taufaao to play with his division one Wests Newcastle team from July 26.

The young Tongan, who is in year 8, is 183 centimetres tall and weighs 104 kilograms.

The Newcastle Herald reported in June that the boy, who was then 13, was suspended for the season and given a further two-year suspended sentence for abusing the referee and spectators.

It was alleged at the time that Talanoa had been subjected to years of abuse from spectators across the Hunter due to his size and race.

He is as big as some National Rugby League front-row forwards and plays in the under-14s. NRL chairman Trevor Crow, who was on Monday night’s judiciary panel, said Wests had made a concerted effort to ensure there would be no further problems associated with the boy.

Mr Crow said the two-year suspended sentence would remain in place, but would only be brought into play if Talanoa breached the league’s code of conduct.

He said on-field issues related to illegal play would be dealt with by the judiciary, as with all other players.

Talanoa has been involved in a mentoring program with the Newcastle Knights and a Wests committee member will attend his games and make a weekly report to the NRL.

‘‘Wests have taken a bit of a big brother approach to him and we are impressed with the way the club has handled things since the incident,’’ Mr Crow said.

‘‘We don’t condone the behaviour, but we took into consideration the human factor in of all of this and we believe the best thing for the boy is to be back doing what he loves and does best, and that is playing footy.

‘‘I think he will be a better person for this experience and I will be taking an active interest in his progress and behaviour.’’

Wests president Wayne Hore said the club would do everything it could to ensure Talanoa stayed at school and kept playing football.