SANZAR warn Cheika and Peyper

Waratahs coach Michael Cheika and South African referee Jaco Peyper have both been reprimanded by SANZAR for their 'inappropriate' conduct in a recent match.

The two engaged in a discussion at half-time during the Waratahs' Round Six Super Rugby clash with the Blues in Sydney on March 28.

SANZAR confirmed in a statement that they received a formal complaint in regard to the alleged conduct of Cheika.

The Blues were seething over the massive difference in interpretation and application of the laws they encountered in the second half, after Cheika had entered the referees' dressing room in Sydney.

he penalty count at the end of the first half was eight-to-one in favour of the Blues.

The second-half penalty count was nine-to-one in favour of the Waratahs.

The Waratahs won the match 23-11, after leading just 7-6 at the break.

However, SANZAR said the 'half-time chat' was not related to this dramatic change in fortunes.

"After undertaking a thorough investigation, including receiving statements from all parties involved, it was determined that Cheika had approached the match referee, Jaco Peyper, in front of the other match officials to seek clarification on a scrum interpretation during the half-time break of the Waratahs versus Blues match," the SANZAR statement said.

"In a short and polite exchange that took place in the referee's change room, Peyper responded to Cheika's request for clarification.

"No other issues were discussed.

"Both Cheika and Peyper have subsequently acknowledged this exchange should not have taken place and apologised.

"There is no evidence that the referee was influenced by the exchange in his handling of the match, nor in the circumstances has there been a breach of the SANZAR Code of Conduct and no further action will be taken.

"SANZAR has issued formal warnings to both Cheika and Peyper and has written to all referees and coaches, reminding them that no discussions should take place between the match officials and coaches during a match."