Rugby brawl verdict - nine boys barred

Players from the Kelston Boys (L) and Auckland Grammar 1st XVs appear before and after last night's hearing at Eden Park. Photos / Dean Purcell

Five Kelston Boys High players have been banned from all rugby for 10 to 16 months and Auckland Grammar will not be allowed to field four of its 1st XV in this weekend's secondary schools final.

In a decision early today, an Auckland Rugby Union disciplinary committee imposed the penalties on the boys, who were not named, for their role in a brawl during the semifinal between the schools last Saturday.

The players have the right to appeal against the bans.

Sitting for the second day in a row for a total of more than 10 hours, the committee decided not to punish either team because of the severity of the individual sanctions.

The Grammar players were banned from yesterday until October 4, and will miss the final against Mt Albert Grammar.

At a press conference after 1am today, the chairwoman of the Auckland Rugby Union's disciplinary panel, Sarah-Jane Neville, said: "Both teams have acknowledged their misconduct and regret bringing the game of rugby into disrepute."

Kelston Boys principal Steve Watt said: "I am stunned. I think the penalties imposed on the Kelston players are particularly severe. I have got some very distraught young men who we have encouraged to be upfront and tell it how it was."

The headmaster of Auckland Grammar, John Morris, said his school had co-operated fully with the committee and accepted the rulings.

"Those individuals are now facing their responsibilities," he said.

Ms Neville said the committee made its decision after hearing from coaches and players, reading statements and viewing videos of the fight.

Auckland union chief executive Andy Dalton said the brawl was an embarrassment for the game of rugby.

The Auckland Secondary Schools Rugby Union executive also expressed its embarrassment at the incident, saying it had tainted the image of the premier schools rugby competition.

"Punching and subsequent retaliation has no part in school-boy rugby; in fact in any level of rugby," a statement released by the executive's chairman Jim Lonergan said.

"The executive fully supports the actions of the ARU judicial committee."

Saturday's incident has prompted the police to say they might drop their sponsorship of Auckland college rugby if violence on the field continues.

The police department yesterday emailed the Auckland Rugby Union to express its disappointment about player misbehaviour.