The All Blacks have been fined $2,000 after a player who was not a member of the lineup became involved in an on-field scuffle during Saturday's Bledisloe Cup test against Australia.
Flanker Liam Messam wasn't chosen for the match but was acting as a water carrier when he tried to stop the scuffle between All Blacks centre Ma'a Nonu and Wallabies captain Stephen Moore in the 29th minute.
Water carriers aren't allowed in the playing area when a match is in progress and southern hemisphere rugby organization Sanzar found Messam's involvement contravened the technical zone protocol.
New Zealand chief executive Steve Tew says "we accept that we breached the sideline protocols during the match on the weekend and we accept the fine."
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