Referee attacked by invading fan

A fan attacked and injured Irish referee David McHugh at the start of the second half in today’s Tri-Nations match between South Africa against New Zealand.

The fan, wearing a Springbok jersey, ran onto the pitch and wrestled McHugh to the ground before several players were able to intervene.

McHugh injured his shoulder in the incident and had to leave the field after being treated by the doctors from both teams.

The assailant was initially dragged off McHugh by New Zealand players Scott Robertson and Richard McCaw, and play was then held up for several minutes while he was treated.

McHugh had earlier disallowed a try by South African winger Breyton Paulse and also awarded a penalty try to New Zealand. The score was level at 17-17 at the time of the incident.

The Cork official was replaced by English referee Chris White.