Injuries are part and parcel of rugby. But it is not often you hear about an assistant referee breaking a leg.
Unfortunately, that is what happened to Josh Lewis on Saturday, when he was hit heavily by a player at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Lewis (39), an Oamaru father of three, was laid up in Dunedin Hospital yesterday after he broke his tibia when a player collided with him on Saturday.
He was running the touch during the game between the South Canterbury and North Otago development teams at the stadium when, early in the second half, a player crashed into him.
''I was watching the players and one of them, the halfback, looked as though he was going to give the ball to the winger,'' Lewis said.
''The next minute, someone crashed into me. I sort of don't really know what happened. They then took me off into the medical room, put me on some crutches and went down to hospital.''
Lewis was taken to Dunedin Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a broken tibia.
The former long-serving Athletic club player had never been so seriously injured before Saturday.
''It was just bad luck, really. Just in the wrong place at the wrong time.''
He said many medical staff who had seen him could not believe what had happened.
Lewis was due to have an operation on his leg last night and said he had received lots of support from friends and family.
Officials from the North Otago Rugby Union had been in touch and offers of help had come in from various people.
He had enjoyed a great day at the stadium before the game, helping coach Rippa rugby games and soaking up the atmosphere of the covered stadium.
Lewis was expected to be out of hospital by the end of the week.
