An 11-year-old Auckland boy has been banned from rugby for two and a half years for assaulting a referee.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The boy was in a Papatoetoe club team playing Marist Eastern when the attack happened in June.
The club said the ban was excessive for the boy's age and it would appeal against the decision.
The Auckland Rugby Union, which imposed the punishment, refused to comment while the appeal process was underway.