• A top-grade Wellington club rugby coach has been banned from the sidelines for six weeks after swearing at a touch judge.

Mason Lawrence, coach of the Oriental Rongotai premier side, was sent off by the referee after leaving his coaching area and getting “in the ear” of the touch judge, “criticising his ability to officiate the game in unsavoury terms”, according to the head of the Wellington referees’ association.

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MAARTEN HOLL/ FAIRFAX NZ
Oriental Rongotai rugby coach Mason Lawrence has been banned for six weeks after abusing a touch judge.