An investigation has been launched by officials in New Zealand after a rugby player struck his own team-mate in the face after an alleged disagreement about a try.
Napier Pirates and Aotea Sports Club were facing off in the Hawkes Bay Nash Cup competition when Napier team-mates Kelsey Miller and Sean Morrison clashed after conceding a try.
The pair had apparently been at each other for most of the game, but after Aotea crossed the whitewash, Morrison had just about had enough of the verbal exchanges. Morrison was one of the players that Aotea breezed past to score the try, and Miller is seen smiling and saying something to Morrison as he turns away after conceding the try.
Morrison strikes Miller in the face immediately, and much to the shock of both Miller and team mates. One team-mate shoves Morrison away at the end of the clip. The Pirates would go on to win the game 26-22, but the result has been overshadowed by this distasteful moment.
Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, chairman of Napier Pirates Graham Atkin expressed his disappointment in the actions of his player.
"That sort of behaviour is very disappointing. We are not that sort of club."
Also chatting to the NZ Herald, Morrison, who threw the punch, said he regrets his actions and explained that it was just something that happened in the heat of the moment. Morrison insists the 'punch' was open handed.
"I apologised to Kelsey immediately. We have known each other for ages, and played together for a long time. I was telling him to pull his head in."
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