Stormers in hot water

The Stormers will face a SANZAR judicial hearing after their match against the Hurricanes in Palmerston North last month .

A complaint was made to SANZAR about alleged misconduct by the Stormers and their team management during the match and will be considered by a judicial officer.

Neither SANZAR nor the Stormers would say what the mysterious complaint related to. SANZAR stressed it would not comment beyond a two-sentence statement because the matter was before a judicial officer.

However, according to reports in the New Zealand media the assistant referee Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri was subjected to "constant criticism" for the duration of the match, including being told he needed to go back to club rugby.

According to 3 News Eden-Whaitiri accused Stormers officials of calling him a 'cheat', subjecting him to constant swearing and abuse including the suggestion that he should go back to club rugby and that he had a cross on a chest for his performance as an assistant referee in Palmerston North.

It is reported that SANZAR wanted to remove Eden-Whaitiri as a match official in last Friday's game between the Stormers and Blues, but his New Zealand bosses stepped in and he stayed on.

The misconduct hearing is expected to be held on Thursday.

The SANZAR statement: "A SANZAR judicial officer is considering a complaint of match day misconduct against the Stormers and their team management during the Hurricanes v Stormers Super Rugby match played on 26 April 2013 in Palmerston North, New Zealand.

"As this matter is before a SANZAR judicial officer, no further comment will be made at this time."