All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has slammed the recent assaults on two Kiwi referees in grassroots rugby, saying even at international level players get frustrated but violence is never an option.
An Otago referee was assaulted at a club rugby final after sending a player off.
A 15-year-old ref was also punched and strangled in Auckland, the New Zealand Herald reports .
Steve Hansen said he doesn't know much about the incidents but "obviously you don't want it to happen".
"I don't know how old these guys were but they've obviously got frustrated and lashed out," Hansen said.
"We wouldn't have a game without referees. We get frustrated at our level with them but we understand that they're human and they make mistakes but they're there to be supported.
"It's not right for anybody to hit anyone."
Charges have since been laid against the 27-year-old man allegedly involved in the Otago incident which was caught on camera by sideline supporters at the senior final between the Strath Taieri and Crescent rugby teams.
He is due to appear in Dunedin District Court on August 6.
SHARE ME