Leeds Rhinos prop Mitch Garbutt apologises for punching James Tamou

Leeds Rhinos prop Mitch Garbutt has apologised for punching James Tamou in Sunday's World Club Challenge match against North Queensland Cowboys.

The 26-year-old was issued with a red card towards the end of the 38-4 defeat and later a two-match suspension.

"It was a silly thing that I did. It's not something that I am about, I don't condone violence and it's not something I want kids watching the game to see," BBC Sport quotes Garbutt as saying.

"Everyone that knows me knows I'm not the sort of person that does those things. I sought James out after the game to apologise and we sorted things out, and there were no hard feelings."

The Cowboys won the series 3-0 and took the title for the first time in their history.