Naked aggression, say angry rugby fans

By ELIZABETH BINNING


Some rugby fans are disgusted at the way security guards restrained a streaker who tried to run on to the field during a Super 12 game at Waikato Stadium.

The incident that led to the allegations of excessive force occurred on Saturday night during the second half of the Chiefs-Crusaders match.

The male streaker, who was covered in baby oil, jumped over a fence and tried to run on to the field from the terraces. He got only about 10m before slipping on a sign as 21,500 people watched.

Spectator Jonathan Ryan said several security guards jumped on top of the man and started punching him.

"We were all pretty shocked. It just sort of carried on for a while, they were being pretty rough with him.

"He was struggling trying to get free, but who wouldn't be if you were being punched. It was pretty aggressive."

The streaker was initially tackled by two security guards but others came to help. At one stage four guards were holding him down, and witnesses say one of them spat and kicked at him.


Another woman said she saw one guard stamp on the man's leg while he was being held down by two other guards.

"It seemed a bit excessive," she said.

However, Senior Sergeant Greg Willis, who was watching the incident from the stadium control room, said the guards responded quickly and appropriately.

"The guy himself was struggling very violently with the security guards. From what I could see they were trying to restrain him the best that they could."

Mr Willis said the guards managed to get the man off the field relatively quickly, despite members of the crowd throwing rubbish at them.

Waikato Stadium manager Mark Christie said it was standard policy to stop anyone who tried to get onto the field during a game.


"The key is protecting the players. That's our ultimate responsibility."

Mr Christie said the man was difficult to control because he was strong, covered in slippery baby oil and appeared to be under the influence of something.

Waikato Rugby Union marketing manager Pat Mellsop said he would today meet with the stadium managers and members of the contracted security company Red Badge for a routine review of how the game went.

The streaking incident would be discussed and action taken if necessary.

"We will discuss that but it was a very, very awkward situation. This young guy went nuts. He had baby oil on, he had no clothes and he didn't stop.

"If excessive force was used then he has got the right to then complain but I have to say there would be no position for excessive force to be used if he stayed behind the barriers."

The man, who was taken to the police cells and charged with disorderly behaviour, has not made any official complaint about the incident.