TOUCHLINE abuse has reached new heights in the Solomon Islands.
Kiwi policeman and rugby referee Kevin Folau, part of the peace-keeping mission in the strife-torn Solomons over the last 14 years, was mentoring a local referee during a game between two village teams.
Folau relates: “Somebody knocked the ref out for awarding a dodgy try. The ref was a ‘wantok’ (family member) of the other team, so they started chasing the player. It was like the Benny Hill Show, except the chasers had bush knives and machetes.”
When Folau went to the referees assistance he heard a shot...