Rugby player knocks out linesman in NSW

A rugby union player has allegedly knocked out a linesman with a single punch during a match in the northern NSW town of Bingara.

Police said the on-field incident occurred after the player was sent from the field at Gwydir Oval after verbally abusing the touch judge over a yellow-card call.

The linesman reported the abuse to the referee who sent the player off.

In response, the man then allegedly took a swing at the linesman and knocked him out.

The 49-year-old official had to be taken to Bingara Hospital, where he was later released following tests.

Police in the riverside town near Inverell have appealed for vision of the alleged assault and are speaking with a man in his 40s.