Kelston rugby brawlers to do community work

The brawl between the Auckland Grammar and Kelston 1st XV rugby teams at Auckland Grammar School. Photo / Murray Job, Sky Sport

The Kelston High School boys involved in a rugby brawl and suspended from school have faced the school's board of trustees.

The boys will complete up to 24 hours' community service at a cemetery and the school and will undergo anger management courses.

They will be placed on a "good behaviour contract".

The boys will also have to talk at the school assembly about what they did and why it was wrong.

Board of Trustees chairman Richard Wood described the brawl as "disgusting and appalling".

He said that during the hearing, which lasted more than five hours, the boys expressed remorse for their part in the brawl.

The seven boys had been suspended but can now return to school.

The brawl took place at a secondary schools rugby semifinal between Kelston and Auckland Boys Grammar on August 15.

The Kelston boys have been banned from playing rugby for periods ranging from 45 to 71 weeks by the Auckland Rugby Union.

The punishments have attracted criticism because four Auckland Grammar students were banned for periods of between two and seven weeks.

A fifth Grammar player faced no ban.

The Auckland Rugby Football Union disciplinary committee defended its decisions, saying each ban was decided on an individual basis, including whether a player would also be banned from representative matches this season.

It is not clear if any of the Grammar boys have been disciplined by their school. Auckland Grammar was contacted for comment but have so far not returned phone calls.

The full list of punishments:

The five 1st XV Players

* Each boy to complete eight hours' community service at Waikumete Cemetery under the supervision of cemetery staff.

* Each boy to complete eight hours' community service at Kelston Boys High School under the direction of the principal.

* Each boy to complete an anger management course, as organised by the principal.

* Each boy to be placed on a Good Behaviour contract. This will be to February 28, 2010 (6 months), for the four boys intending on returning to KBHS next year and to December 7, 2009, for the fifth boy.

* Each boy to address the school at assembly to explain why the actions he took were inappropriate and the impact these actions have had, with a view to discouraging other boys from making similar mistakes.

* Each boy to be mentored as directed by the principal.

* The four boys returning to school in 2010 will be assigned to a junior rugby team in a trainer/assistant coach capacity in order to mentor junior boys.

The two 2nd XV Players

* Each boy to be placed on a good behaviour contract until February 28, 2010 (6 months).

* Each boy to keep a daily conduct book to be monitored by his head of house with a full report given to the Board of Trustees at their next meeting.

* Each boy to complete eight hours' community service at Waikumete Cemetery under the supervision of cemetery staff.

* Each boy to complete 16 hours' community service at Kelston Boys High School under the direction of the principal.

* Each boy to complete an anger management course, as organised by the principal.

* Each boy to be mentored as directed by the principal.