All Blacks playmaker Ruben Love was warned of his responsibilities after he was caught swearing at an opposition player during Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash.
The Hurricanes were taking on the Highlanders when the hosts were given a penalty when visiting half-back Adam Lennox collided with Love after the 25-year-old had kicked the ball forward.
Lennox made contact with his opponents’ head when trying to charge down the ball.
Whether it was the scrum-half or another ‘Landers player, something was clearly said to the All Black, which he took exception to.
Love’s X-rated outburst
He could be heard on the ref mic shouting, “you f*****g suck bro”, and the man in charge of the clash, Angus Gardner, was clearly aware that his outburst would be noticed at home.
Love was duly reprimanded by Gardner, who reminded him that the weekend had been designated as ‘kids round’.
“Hey, hey, hey, you’re on TV,” the referee told the ‘Canes star. “Hey mate, listen, I know he slapped you in the face but don’t use language like that. It’s kids round.”
The fly-half spoke to Sky Sport NZ afterwards and looked rather sheepish as he apologised for his actions.
“Sorry to everyone out there, that’s not on. I’ll take that on the chin, that’s my bad, I’ve got to be better.” he said.
‘I know he slapped you in the face, but don’t use language like that, it’s Kids Round’ 🫢 Ruben Love got put into place after his emotions got the better of him 😬
↳ Super Rugby Pacific. Every Match. Live & Exclusive.#StanSportAU #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/lBRPvVdYHP
— Stan Sport Rugby (@StanSportRugby) May 25, 2026
Former players Mils Muliaina and Jeff Wilson were less bothered, however, with the former admitting that he “loved” seeing the playmaker express himself.
“I know what he said wasn’t right, but I loved it. You’re in the heat of the moment. Telling someone he sucks, I’ve heard a lot worse things,” Muliaina said on The Breakdown.
“There was a lot of niggle in there but that’s part of the game. These days you’ve got the ref’s mic, he was a bit close but I don’t mind that stuff.”
Wind-up merchant Andrew Mehrtens
Wilson played in a era where the referees weren’t mic’d up and he revealed that the worst culprit was fellow All Blacks great Andrew Mehrtens.
“We were lucky to be fair, there were no microphones on our field and there was plenty of banter, much worse than that,” he said.
“Mehrtens was a shocker and for a guy that got nowhere near contact like I did, what a waste of energy and time and words because he was never going to take action on anything.
“Most referees turned around because Mehrts was also chipping the refs about everything, but that’s what made him a competitor.
“That’s what Ruben Love is, he’s a competitor. That man wants to win.”
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