Security scare for organisers

By DAVID LEGGAT

BRISBANE - Security was non-existent around the edge of the Suncorp Stadium playing arena when a spectator lunged at Springbok Louis Koen during their World Cup clash with Samoa.

And that has prompted a top-level inquiry into the incident by the Australian Rugby Union.

It occurred in the final moment of Saturday's game as Koen was attempting to convert a try by the righthand touchline.

A 29-year-old man was arrested.

The incident brought back memories of the Pieter van Zyl controversy at Durban last year.

The 43-year-old van Zyl attacked Irish referee David McHugh during the Springboks' test against the All Blacks. He received a $1660 fine and a ban from South African matches.

On Saturday, the spectator, who is from Sydney, had an unimpeded run towards Koen, but ended up the worse for wear.

Landing awkwardly beside Koen, the intruder was stretchered off the ground with his neck in a brace and was taken to Brisbane Royal Hospital for observation.

He will appear in the Magistrates Court today under section 32 of Australia's Major Sporting Facilities Act.

"Security at all World Cup matches is paramount and while this is the first incident of its kind in the tournament, we will be taking no chances," said an Australian Rugby Union spokesman.

Suncorp Stadium chief executive Geoff Donaghy refused to comment, saying it was a matter for cup organisers.

The Australian union last night held a top-level meeting to review security at the stadium.

Uniformed and plainclothes police officers were at the ground on Saturday, and police sniffer dogs patrolled the stands during the match attended by nearly 48,500 people.

South African coach Rudolph Straeuli said the Springboks would investigate the matter and possibly lodge an official complaint with tournament organisers.

"Obviously we want to have a look at it again," he said. "At the moment we do not want to comment but there is a case being made."

The game had been played in a friendly atmosphere before a high-spirited crowd who were noisily supportive of the Samoans throughout their 10-60 loss to the Springboks.

That atmosphere, plus the fact that the incident happened in the final moments, clearly caught security staff off-guard.

But with the business end of the tournament starting this weekend with the quarter-finals, and security having become a key issue at high-profile events worldwide, tournament officials cannot afford a repeat.


Full World Cup coverage