Rugby player arrested

A RUGBY union player in the NSW Hunter region has been arrested over an assault on a referee during a grand final in Newcastle.

The Maitland Blacks player allegedly lashed out at the referee striking him in the jaw during Saturday’s under-19s grand final against the Newcastle Wanderers, police say.

The 18-year-old player was arrested at a Rutherford home later that night.

The incident happened after the teenager was given a yellow card by 19-year-old referee Nicklas Gaal.