The All Blacks 7s team could face belated punishment if the team is found guilty of fielding eight players against Australia in the pool match of the Sydney 7s.
According to Sky Sports, this could include New Zealand being docked World Series points or face a fine.
England were fined £10,000 for having a 16th man on the field during a win over Samoa at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
World Rugby will investigate whether New Zealand fielded eight players in their Sydney Sevens match against Australia.
Referee Craig Joubert is in the spotlight after missing the extra New Zealand player on the pitch.
The All Blacks had eight players on the field when Ardie Savea scored their match levelling try against Australia, a result that denied the Wallabies the chance to top Pool A.
Had Joubert or one of the other officials noticed the extra player in the All Blacks attack, a penalty would have been awarded and Australia would have been in position to play out time for victory.
Australia 7's coach Andy Friend says in an Olympic year they have got to make sure that those simple mistakes do not happen in a big tournament.
Source: Sky Sports
