Viewers of a grassroots rugby television program in New Zealand received more than they bargained for yesterday when onfield play gave way to hardcore pornography.

Nearly four minutes of a porn segment were screened on the free-to-air Prime Channel before order was restored and the rugby returned.

A statement from Prime said a distribution fault had allowed "inappropriate material" from the pay-per-view Spice Channel to appear in the rugby program.

Rival Television Three reported that "parents were outraged" at the blunder.

One father said his eight-year-old son's innocence was ruined while the rival station showed a 12-year-old girl with her hands over her eyes saying "eww" and "gross".