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Major League Rugby has issued hefty suspensions to the two coaches involved in an on-field scrap at Mount Vernon on Sunday. Houston SaberCats Head Coach Pote Human and New York Ironworkers Head of High Performance Ollie Richardson will each miss the next six games of the season.
The incident occurred during the hydration break in the first half of the game between the Ironworkers and SaberCats. Richardson approached the Houston huddle and was reportedly saying something to Director of Rugby Heyneke Meyer, which Human took exception to.
When Human approached Richardson the two exchanged heated words, which led to Human delivering a slap to Richardson’s face. The New York coach was initially pulled away by a match official but broke loose and retaliated with a punch to the side of Human’s head.
We have video @SickosCommittee pic.twitter.com/hTqa9USusR
— r/MLRugby (@r_MLRugby) April 23, 2023
As a result, both Human and Richardson won’t be permitted to fulfil their on-field duties on match days until June 18, the last day of the regular season. They have also been sanctioned with unspecified fines and community service.
It’s the second suspension to a Houston staff member this season. Meyer was forced to sit out one week after an unsanctioned recruiting conversation with a Utah player. It’s now Meyer who will assume lead coaching duties on match days, aided by assistants John McFarland and Ryan Nell.
