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.
