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Junior rugby player facing lifetime ban

A YOUNG rugby player faces a total ban from the sport after a violent incident on the field.

Dan ElsomDan Elsom
@elsom_dan
less than 2 min read
June 15, 2015 - 10:02PM
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 13: Rob Simmons (L) and Adam Thomson (R) looks dejected as referee Nick Briant shows Thomson a yellow card during the round 18 Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Reds at Allianz Stadium on June 13, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 13: Rob Simmons (L) and Adam Thomson (R) looks dejected as referee Nick Briant shows Thomson a yellow card during the round 18 Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Reds at Allianz Stadium on June 13, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

A JUNIOR rugby player is facing a lifetime ban from the sport after allegedly attacking a referee during an under-12 game in Auckland.

The 11-year-old was playing for Papatoetoe Rugby Club when he was given a yellow card for a high tackle on an opposing player.

It was reported that the player allegedly gave the referee “the finger” before tackling him from behind and punching him while he was on the ground.

Stuff.co.nz reported the ref was not badly injured in the incident, but was clearly affected.

“He was been resting at home, he has certainly been affected by the event,” said Auckland Rugby Referees Association manager Smudge McNeilage.

According to chairman of the boy’s rugby club Rick Steedman, this incident was very much a “one-off”, the club does not normally engage in any kind of violence on the field.

The boy will face a disciplinary hearing later this week.

The incident has sparked debate on social media, with a number of people disagreeing with the possibility of a lifetime ban for such young player.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/junior-rugby-player-facing-lifetime-ban/news-story/d4275ba4ff34ce28ddab5d6d001d139f