Hayne dropped for weekend

The National Rugby League have dropped referee Shayne Hayne following his controversial handling of Saturday night's Eels v Sharks game at Parramatta Stadium.

Hayne's axing comes despite the NRL using nine referees in first grade this weekend, with the South Sydney-Cronulla clash on Saturday night and the Wests Tigers-North Queensland game the next day to be controlled by two referees.

Hayne, considered one of the emerging officiating stars, was heavily criticised after he sent off Sharks David Peachey and Dale Newton on Saturday night. Both have been charged by the NRL judiciary and will appear tomorrow night after entering not guilty pleas.