Editorial: Age group violence ruining our game

Police at Otahuhu Rugby Ground after a brawl broke out.

Rugby fans and administrators must be shaking their heads wondering why their sport has suddenly developed an ugly side.

As the country heads toward a weekend in which two New Zealand teams will play off for the toughest annual professional rugby title in the world, ugly brawls involving young players continue to blight the game.

In Northland, police are examining violence surrounding a June 16 North Zone IMB under-16 match. There was fighting during the Kaeo v Eastern/Waipapakauri match, and after. Kaeo coach and former All Black Eric Rush intervened in the fighting after - the mother of one player claims he was too physical. Rush says he was stopping the fighting. Police will sort out the culpability of several people, not just Rush.

In Auckland, on Saturday, more than 40 people were involved in what one eye-witness called "havoc" at the Otahuhu Rugby Ground.

The players were under-15 level. A 14-year-old was knocked out by a supporter.

Two weeks ago in Auckland, an 11-year-old boy allegedly tackled a referee to the ground, then punched him, during a club game. He will face an ARU judiciary next month.

Changes made in Whangarei at junior rugby fields - sideline ropes, for example - seem to be working. There might be lessons the rest of the country can learn.

Rugby is a physical game. As All Black captain Tana Umaga once noted, it's not marbles.

But violence has no place in the game, particularly from supporters.

The Super 15 players on show this weekend got there without sideline brawls, or on field fights. Perhaps it's time the rest of the country caught up with the modern era.