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‘It’s kids’ round’: Ruben Love apologises after referee reprimand for on-field outburst
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All Blacks playmaker Ruben Love has apologised on social media after being caught on the referee mic swearing at a Highlanders player in the 57th minute.
Love put in a chip kick just inside his own half in Wellington, before Highlanders halfback Adam Lennox jumped to try and charge down the ball.
Australian referee Angus Gardner then awarded the home side a penalty after Lennox clearly caught Love on the head as he was chasing his own kick.
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The first-five was clearly unimpressed with something a Highlanders player replied with after the penalty was awarded, leaving Love frustrated.
Gardner then pulled Love up on his expletive language after the incident, reminding the Hurricanes playmaker it was the designated “Kids round”.
“Morena whanau, I apologise to everyone that became aware of a moment on the ref’s mic last night,” Love posted on his social media account.
“Always play the game to compete and live on the edge but in the heat of the moment I should’ve been better. Want to set a better example for the kids and I let that down, those in my circle know that’s not who I am or how I play.
“Will learn from it and be better.”
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Love’s Hurricanes overpowered the Highlanders in Wellington on Saturday night, with the first-five scoring a special try in the first half after beating multiple defenders.
The 25-year-old recently made his 50th appearance for the Hurricanes after six seasons at the franchise, while the versatile playmaker played five times for the All Blacks under former head coach Scott Robertson.
Love averages 4.5 carries per game in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific, making an average of 42.1 metres with the ball in hand and breaking the line once every two games.
Speaking to media post-match after their 45-28 victory over Jamie Joseph’s Highlanders, Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw was impressed with his first-fives try.
“Yeah, it’s good footwork, isn’t it? You know, he shapes people up well, and when they drift early, and I guess that’s the beauty of him being the first receiver and a first five is he’s got the footwork of an outside back when he gets a little bit of space,” Laidlaw said.
“So you know, he’s seen that guy turned his shoulders quite early, didn’t he? And he was good enough to take it, so yeah, good string to his bow.”
