Rugby League: Cronulla fined $17,000

The National Rugby League yesterday slugged Cronulla with an A$15,000 ($17,490) fine because coach Chris Anderson abused the referee in the players' tunnel after their weekend game. Anderson was fuming after his star halfback, Brett Kimmorley, suffered a broken jaw in the first half of the Sharks' 28-26 win over the Wests Tigers.

Coaches and club officials are prohibited from approaching referees as they leave the field. NRL chief executive David Gallop said the nature of the comments and the fact that the coach made no attempt either to apologise for or to excuse his actions led to the fine.