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Home / New Zealand

Rugby brawl: Parents unlikely to be interviewed

By Tess Nichol
Reporter·NZME.·
19 May, 2015 12:28 AM3 mins to read

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Parents will be interviewed after an altercation during an under-8s rugby game. Photo / Thinkstock

Parents will be interviewed after an altercation during an under-8s rugby game. Photo / Thinkstock

Parents who stormed the pitch during an altercation at an under-8s rugby game are unlikely to be interviewed as part of an investigation into the incident.

The game, between junior players at the Ponsonby Rugby Club and Waitemata Rugby Club, came to an end minutes before the end of the match because of the incident.

It was understood the incident happened at Coxs Bay in upmarket Westmere on Saturday.

Auckland Rugby has received reports from both clubs and was investigating the incident.

Spokeswoman Libby Gudmundsson this morning said the parents involved were unlikely to be interviewed as part of the investigation.

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Investigators were reading through the clubs' reports this morning and, once they had a clear picture of what happened, they would talk to the people they received the reports from.

"It will likely be either the chairs or the delegates [for the clubs]," Ms Gudmundsson said.

No video recordings of any kind had been seen by investigators, she said.

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"We haven't received any visual footage."

Ms Gudmundsson said a decision would follow discussions with club representatives.

"Auckland Rugby staff will be meeting with both clubs, their junior delegates and the involved coaches to discuss appropriate side-line behaviour and on-field sportsmanship.

"A decision on any further action will be decided on from these meetings."

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Ms Gudmundsson said all junior coaches were required to take part in a Small Blacks coaching course which highlighted sportsmanship and how to effectively communicate with players.

"In previous years a video highlighting side line management and appropriate supporter behaviour has also been shared."

Waitemata club chair Mark Mallabar said eyewitnesses and those involved were due to meet tonight with club officials to "work it through" and hopefully come to an agreement about what happened on Saturday.

Parents, coaches and spectators involved were due to meet as soon as possible, likely tonight, with delegates and other club officials to discuss the issues.

"The sooner these issues are resolved the better. You can't just let it drag on."

Mr Mallabar called the clubs' reports "contradictory" and said without video evidence it could be a he-said she-said scenario.

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"They're so contradictory the reports, I don't know who to believe," he said.

"If everybody sticks to their guns, their opposing thoughts, [there's] nothing on camera, everyone's got vested interests ... what can you do?"

However, Mr Mallabar said he and other club officials would "go all out to find out" what had happened and said he hoped common sense would prevail at tonight's meeting.

Mr Mallabar said he could understand tempers flaring in the moment, but he hoped those involved had "calmed down" since."

If somebody grabbed your child you'd be up in arms ... thinking goes out the door," he said.

"The lioness comes out in her and she becomes protective."

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Ponsonby Club chairman Chris Clews said he felt it was inappropriate to comment while the incident was still being looked into.

"From the club's point of view and for rugby it's a disappointing thing to happen," he said.

"But making a comment other than that, it wouldn't be appropriate at this stage."

Mr Clews said he was aware reports had been tabled and said delegates were dealing with the issue.

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