By ALAN PEROTT
Two Wesley College students have been banned from playing rugby after a referee was attacked at a match between the school's 3rd XV and Papakura High School.
One student has been banned for life, the other for four years, in disciplinary action handed down by the Counties-Manukau Rugby Union judicial committee.
The police have also charged the pair with common assault.
The disciplinary committee investigated alleged assaults on the field and in the changing room after the game last weekend, won 3-0 by Papakura.
Rugby union chief executive officer Peter Dunne would not name the referee, but said he had been shocked and distressed. "Our attitude towards this incident is shown in that we have acted quickly and harshly."
He said the union had an exemplary relationship with Wesley College and it was the first time this year any of its students had come to the union's attention.
Wesley principal Graeme Cowley said the whole college had been spoken to "and reminded that they are ambassadors for the school at all times, and of the importance of fair play both on and off the pitch."
Both of the senior boys charged were good students and had no history of bad behaviour.
The school would not take any further action until the court case had been completed.
Mr Cowley said that if the 3rd XV had won the match, they would have won the Counties-Manukau secondary schools championship.
Pupils banned after rugby ref attacked
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