Cape Town - World Rugby has denied that referee Matt O'Brien apologised over his controversial handling of the Wellington Sevens final between New Zealand and South Africa.

According to a report on supersport.com, O’Brien met with Bok Sevens coach Neil Powell on Wednesday in Sydney ahead of this weekend’s Sydney Sevens along with World Rugby Sevens assessor Tappe Henning and delivered a “heartfelt” apology for the way he refereed the final of the tournament.

The All Blacks Sevens side beat the Blitzboks 24-21 after scoring three tries in the last three minutes of the match.