A Hunter rugby player has been charged with assaulting a referee, during an under-19 grand final.
Maitland’s Mark Meafua is accused of striking 19-year-old match official Niklas Gaal in the face, when he was about to receive a yellow card.
Police allege 18-year-old Meafua then left the field – he was later arrested at his Rutherford home.
He’s been charged with common assault and is due to face Maitland Court next month.