Club rugby player banned for life

A club rugby player in Manawatu has been banned for life after allegedly punching a referee. Photo / Getty

A club rugby player has been banned for life after he allegedly punched a referee from behind during a match in Manawatu.

The alleged incident happened during a match between the Linton Army and Freyberg B teams yesterday, Fairfax reported.

The referee was taken to hospital and needed stitches.

It is alleged that he was punched by a Freyberg player shortly after he blew the whistle for fulltime.

Freyberg lost the match by five points.

The Freyberg Rugby Club board met this morning and decided to ban the player for life.