Brumbies coach fined for crude behaviour

Gardner officiated the quarterfinal between the Brumbies and the Highlanders on July 22. The hearing, which was conducted by Terry Willis (Australia), found McKellar guilty of Misconduct under the SANZAAR Code of Conduct.

In his finding Willis concluded that, by his own admission, McKellar had used crude and insulting language toward Gardner and as such had breached the SANZAAR Code of Conduct Sections 8.3 (k) and 8.3 (l) which states: "All persons shall not use crude, insulting or abusive language towards Match Officials."

Willis confirmed that McKellar should be fined AUS$10 000 for the SANZAAR Code of Conduct breach, of which AUS$5 000 is to be suspended for a 12 month period.

McKellar was also formally reprimanded and issued with a warning as to the likely consequences of further unacceptable behaviour and told that any further Code of Conduct breach within 12 months would result in the suspended AUS$5 000 becoming immediately payable.

McKellar has unreservedly apologised for his behaviour to Gardner.