Hearing scheduled for boy who punched rugby referee

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

A hearing to determine the punishment for an 11-year-old boy who reportedly tackled and punched a referee at a club rugby game on Saturday will take place tomorrow night.

The boy, from the Papatoetoe Rugby Football Club, 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 Under-12 grade match on Saturday.

The game was stopped after the incident, that occurred about 10-minutes into the second half, and an official complaint was made to the Auckland Rugby Union.

Union spokeswoman Libby Gundmundsson said it was "unique" situation, and a disciplinary committee hearing tomorrow would determine what consequences the boy faced.

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.

Ms Gundmundsson said the location of the hearing would not be revealed, and it was not known how long it would take.

It would be over overseen by an independent disciplinary committee made up of about half a dozen people from different professions including the law fraternity.

Its decision would be released through the rugby union.

Parents, spectators and officials were horrified by the incident at the Papatoetoe Sports Grounds that occurred 10 minutes into the second half.

One parent, who did not wish to be identified, said that the player was walking towards the goal posts when he turned around and "gave the ref the finger", before running at him.

"The ref had his back turned and was blindsided by the boy who dropped him to the ground," the witness told TVNZ.

"There was a bit of a scuffle on the ground and then the player punched the referee."

Auckland Rugby Referees Association referee manager Smudge McNeilage said the referee was not physically injured in the attack, but was "certainly affected".

"He was been resting at home, he has certainly been affected by the event."

It was understood the hearing would involve the referee association, the player and his parents, as well as witnesses from both teams.