Rugby: Fists fly in ugly sevens brawl

By ANGELA GREGORY and NZPA

The New Zealand and Fiji sevens rugby sides were both cited yesterday after an ugly brawl erupted at the end of a World Series semifinal in Chile.

New Zealand won the game 19-17, but tensions boiled over as the players were walking from the field after the final whistle.

The fracas involved most players from both sides.

When attempts to cool things down failed, armed police took the field.

On television, players could be seen taking part in the fight, fists flying.

At least one New Zealand player appeared to stomp on a Fijian opponent, but was not disciplined for his action.

But the conduct of both teams in the unsavoury scenes will be considered today, when they should learn whether they will face any sanctions.

They could face a range of penalties, the most serious being expulsion from the World Series.

New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens told the Herald from his Santiago hotel room last night that what happened was unexpected.

Fighting had no place in the game, he said.

"There was a lot of pressure on that game and it came down to the last few minutes really.

"We finished on points just ahead of Fiji and it [the fight] was disappointing, very disappointing.

"We certainly regret what happened.

"There's lots of tension on both sides. It's like test-match pressure.

"Unfortunately, it got to breaking point."

After match reviews by International Rugby Board series manager Bill Wallace and by Steve Hinds, the Chile tournament's citing officer (both New Zealanders), Canterbury Crusader Marika Vunibaka - playing for Fiji - was cited for striking when he sprinted nearly 50m to punch Amasio Valence.

Vunibaka, seen as the prime perpetrator, will appear before the tournament's disciplinary committee today.

He was also given a yellow card in yesterday's match against Samoa.

New Zealand retained their position at the head of the World Series table after defeating Argentina in the final, 21-7.

A New Zealand Rugby Union spokesman said there would be no comment while the game was under review by the IRB.