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.

Written by
Danielle Joynson