NZ coaches fined for slamming refs

Cape Town - Two rugby coaches from New Zealand have been fined for their criticism of match officials.

Manawatu coach Jason O’Halloran and Wellington coach Earl Va’a have been fined for recent comments in the media.

According to the SA Referees website, Va’a criticised the performance of referees during the 2015 ITM Cup season, while O’Halloran hot out at assistant referees and television match officials.

Misconduct proceedings were brought by New Zealand Rugby (NZR). Following hearings in Wellington, both coaches were found to have breached NZR Disciplinary Rules and ordered to apologise to professional referees and NZR.

O’Halloran was fined NZ$4 000 (R37 000), with NZ$2000 suspended for one year, while Va’a was fined $2000 (R18 500), with $1000 suspended for one year. Both cases are pending no further misconduct.

New Zealand Rugby general manager rugby Neil Sorensen said: “We don't condone public criticism of any referee at any level of the game in any circumstances.

“We expect high standards from our coaches. They need to lead by example so the comments by Jason and Earl were very disappointing.”