Rugby: NZ players suffer on freezing UK field

Two rugby players from New Zealand collapsed on the pitch suffering from hypothermia one minute from the end of a match in Scotland yesterday.

Irvine's lower league home encounter against Aberdeen GSFP was abandoned with one minute left after Irvine's fullback Lance Elrick lost consciousness and the team's centre, Matt Kenny, had to be taken to hospital because of the cold.

Referee Finlay Clark had no hesitation in calling time.

"The score after 79 minutes was 0-0 and it was almost certain to go into extra time. It would clearly have been a danger to other players if we had continued."

- NZPA