Two Rotorua businessmen have described getting into a heated argument with Black Caps stars Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell which led to the cricketers being dropped from this weekend's match in Auckland.
Abracadabra Cafe & Bar owners Brendon Arkwright and Jason Mills went to watch the Black Caps play SouthAfrica in the second one day international in Napier on Wednesday night.
The two men were at the Cri Cafe Bar & Grill at midnight after the match when they saw three Black Caps players - Jesse Ryder, Doug Bracewell and Tarun Nathula - at the bar.
Mr Arkwright claims Ryder and Bracewell were drinking shots with a group of patrons. He approached Ryder and asked him if it was a good idea to be drinking after not scoring any runs against South Africa.
He told The Daily Post yesterday that Ryder and a man with him verbally abused him in response.
"I was surprised by his reaction. There were other people coming up to him and saying exactly what I said, 'should you be drinking like you've won the game when you didn't score any runs'. He and one of his mates has taken offence to that and gone off on me."
Mr Mills said he told Mr Arkwright they should leave the bar because he felt it may turn physical.
The two men left the bar and were waiting for a taxi.
