A rugby league player has appealed against the severity of the 18-month jail sentence he received for a "ferocious" on-field assault that left an opponent with severe facial injuries.

Key points: Iliesa Makita Cama from the Denman Devils landed several punches that knocked out an opposing player

Iliesa Makita Cama from the Denman Devils landed several punches that knocked out an opposing player The victim strongly denies claims he racially abused Cama and had thrown the first punch

The victim strongly denies claims he racially abused Cama and had thrown the first punch Cama was handed a 13-week suspension by the local judiciary, described by critics as inadequate

Iliesa Makita Cama, captain-coach of the Denman Devils in the NSW Hunter Valley, took to Ryan Holman of the opposing Murrurundi Mavericks in the final minutes of a Group 21 reserve grade game on May 19.

Cama, 27, landed several punches that rendered Mr Holman unconscious for three to four minutes.

A father of three, Cama claimed he felt his opponent strike the side of his head and responded by punching back.

The court had previously heard the victim retaliated by calling his attacker, a Fijian national, "a black dog", but Mr Holman refuted the claim.

Cama was eventually pulled away by other players and Mr Holman was taken by ambulance to Muswellbrook Hospital.

He was later transferred to John Hunter Hospital to undergo surgery on his jaw — which included having three permanent screws fitted — as well as precautionary brain and memory assessments.

Screws were permanently inserted in the victim's jaw as a result of the assault. ( Supplied )

In sentencing, Magistrate Hugh Donnelly said the attack "could only be described as ferocious".

"The offence was committed in a public space in plain sight. It would have been shocking to witness," he said.

Cama pleaded guilty to reckless grievous bodily harm, a charge that carries a maximum 10 years' imprisonment.

Mr Donnelly said he found the appropriate sentence to be two years, but that "the defendant is entitled to the usual 25 per cent sentencing discount for his early plea".

The court heard that the remorse shown by Cama and his prior clean record were also factors in the sentence.

"He told the police that it wasn't his intention to hurt the victim that bad and that it just came out as a reaction," Mr Donnelly said.

"If he could take time back, he would apologise to the victim."

But within minutes of being taken from the court, Cama was granted bail after his defence team lodged an appeal in the District Court against the severity of the sentence.

It is understood Cama has surrendered his passport and will be under strict bail conditions until he fronts Newcastle District Court in December.

Ryan Holman was knocked unconscious on the field before being rushed to hospital. ( Supplied )

Mr Holman told the ABC that he strongly disputed Cama's claims of what prompted the attack.

"[I'm] really annoyed and disappointed that he claims he was racially abused and that he was punched first," he said.

"That could not be further from the truth ... I really want to move forward from it all now.

"I'm happy that he has pled guilty and has taken some accountability for his actions."

Suspension scrutiny

Cama was handed a 13-week suspension by the Group 21 judiciary, which was lifted on August 19, but the overarching Country Rugby League (CRL) stepped in to impose an extra week's ban while Cama awaited sentencing.

Mr Holman's father, Craig, had previously aired concerns about what he described as a "disgraceful" suspension.

"[The] severity of the suspension was not adequate in our eyes," he said.

The Denman Devils were knocked out of the competition at the weekend.