Major League Rugby brawl: Pote Human and counterpart suspended, ordered to do community service

South African coach Pote Human and his Major League Rugby (MRL) counterpart, Ollie Richardson, have copped six-week bans after they were embroiled in an on-field brawl last weekend.

The incident made headlines earlier this week when video footage emerged of Human charging onto the field before getting into a fight with Richardson.

Human - who coaches the Houston SaberCats - is believed to have been incensed by the Rugby New York Ironworkers coach berating one of Houston's players during a water break.

The former Bulls mentor slapped Richardson, who responded by throwing a punch of his own as a brawl broke out. Both coaches were ejected from the field.

MRL said earlier in the week it was investigating the incident, before reaching a verdict later in the week.

In a statement on its website, MRL said Human and Richardson were both hit with six-week suspensions.

An undisclosed monetary fine was also imposed, with the money to be donated to a charity of MLR's choosing. The coaching duo will also be required to do community service and they will only be allowed back at match-day activities on 18 June.

We have video @SickosCommittee pic.twitter.com/hTqa9USusR

.@Hou_Sabercats HC Pote Human & @rugbynewyork Head of High Performance Ollie Richardson are both suspended 6 weeks. Both will also be fined with the money going to charity, and have to fulfill community service. I have no issues with this, bravo @usmlr.#MLR2023 #MLR pic.twitter.com/Hx2S51Zpu5

Human joined Houston SaberCats as head coach in 2021 when he left his position as coach of Varsity Cup side Shimlas. He was lured by former Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer, who is the Texas-based franchise's director of rugby.

Human was the Bulls' head coach in 2019-2020 and had been involved in