Michael Cheika fined £17,500 for verbal abuse of officials

Stade Francais director of rugby Michael Cheika has been fined e20,000 (£17,592) for verbally abusing officials during and after last season's Amlin Challenge Cup final defeat to Harlequins.

An independent disciplinary panel decided to suspend 50 per cent of Cheika's fine until 30 June, 2013 on condition that he faces no further misconduct charges during that period.

Cheika admitted making disparaging comments to match officials both at half-time and immediately after the final whistle at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The former Leinster boss also pleaded guilty to making offensive remarks to an employee of tournament organisers European Rugby Cup Ltd after Harlequins had snatched a late 19-18 victory. The independent disciplinary committee was chaired by Simon Thomas (Wales) and also comprised Mark McParland (Ireland) and Antony Davies (England).

Cheika was fined a total of e15,000 for the first charge and e5,000 for the second, with half of each suspended for two years. Cheika was also found liable for the costs of the hearing. Both parties have the right to appeal the decision.

l Lock Jarrad Hoeata will make his All Blacks debut against Fiji in Dunedin tomorrow after being named in the first New Zealand team of the year. Hoeata, 27, will play alongside Ali Williams in the Tri-Nations warm-up that marks the start of an international season New Zealanders hope will end in a World Cup triumph on home soil.

Williams, 30, returns to win his 62nd cap and first in almost three years having revived his hopes of playing in a third World Cup with an excellent Super rugby season for the Auckland Blues. Fly-half Colin Slade will make his first start for New Zealand. Dan Carter was named among the replacements.