Rugby: Bay prop charged for punching Tialata

Hawke's Bay prop Clint Newland has been cited for foul play after he knocked out Wellington's Neemia Tialata with a punch in Saturday's Air NZ Cup rugby match in Napier.

He could be charged later today, which would mean him appearing before a New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) judiciary on Wednesday.

Tialata, selected for the All Blacks' World Cup campaign, suffered concussion from the punch and can't recall the incident that occurred during a lineout in the 14th minute of the game, won 8-6 by Hawke's Bay.

Tialata was helped from the field but Newland went unpunished on the field, the punch unsighted by referee Bryce Lawrence.

A NZRU spokesperson confirmed today that Newland had been cited.

- NZPA