Hearing for boy over punching of rugby ref

The boy is facing a life ban from the sport. Photo / Thinkstock

An 11-year-old boy who allegedly punched a referee at an Auckland Under 12s grade rugby game will have his case heard tonight.

The Papatoetoe Rugby Football Club player was seen to tackle and punch the referee after receiving a yellow card for a head-high tackle to an opposing Marist Eastern player during their match last month.

A hearing before an independent disciplinary committee organised as per Auckland Rugby Union rules was scheduled to take place at 6pm tonight.

The maximum penalty is a life ban from the sport.

The Herald understands it is the first time such a serious complaint has been made for a junior grade rugby game.

An Auckland Rugby Union spokeswoman would not reveal the location of the hearing, saying only that a statement would be placed on its website.

The hearing was originally scheduled to take place last month, but was delayed so all parties - the boy, his parents, both clubs, the rugby union and Auckland Rugby Referees Association - could prepare their cases.

The committee is made up of about six community members from different professions including the law industry.

A hearing was also scheduled for later this month over a mass, 40-person brawl at an Under 16s match between Otahuhu College and Tangaroa College that resulted in the hospitalisation of a 15-year-old Otahuhu student.