Sheep tackling ban in New Zealand

Now the sheep in New Zealand have one less thing to worry about

Sheep tackling, a popular half-time entertainment in parts of New Zealand, is to be banned following criticism from an animal welfare group.

About 500 children chased five sheep wearing rugby shirts during the break at the NPC Third Division final between Wairarapa-Bush and Horowhenua-Kapiti.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said "animals should not be exploited like this".

Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union denied cruelty but agreed to stop the game.

Val Ball, the president of Wairarapa's SPCA, said: "The message that these young people are getting is that it's OK to get out there and bully animals for entertainment, it's not acceptable to do this sort of thing."

Wairarapa-Bush rugby chairman David Cameron said no sheep were harmed during the chasing but confirmed he would look for new half-time entertainment.

NZ legend Colin Meads shears one of his old training partners

Strangely enough, sheep managed to secure a place in New Zealand's rugby heritage.

Colin 'Pinetree' Meads, one of the country's most famous players, was rumoured to run up hills with a sheep under each arm as part of his training regime.

And current star Richie McCaw has also admitted that chasing sheep around the paddock at home was an important part of his rugby upbringing.