A formal investigation has been launched after a Fijian player was racially abused in a Christchurch club rugby match.
Christchurch Rugby Club winger Sake Aca was reduced to tears by the taunts during Sunday's division one final against Lincoln University.
Head coach Daniel O'Brien says the unsavoury incident is hugely disappointing.
"We're actually trying to protect the guy," he says. "[He is] really well-loved in the club and it's important these actions are condoned, but at the same time we also don't want Sake to be the one who's up there and put in front of the media just because it was levelled at him."
Canterbury Rugby is investigating, and Mr O'Brien says he is expecting a result within the next couple of days.
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