Last Saturday's club rugby combatants Kaierau and Ruapehu can hang up their boots.
The clubs' senior teams have been banned from the rest of the Wanganui senior competition after being found guilty of charges of misconduct, bringing the game into disrepute and conduct prejudicial to good sportsmanship.
This means a redrawn semi-final Saturday, with Marist playing Pirates at Spriggens Park and Ratana against Taihape at Ratana.
Yesterday's second day of hearings - expected to go far into the night, were pre-empted in dramatic fashion by the Kaierau Rugby Club's decision to accept an invitation from its own senior players to suspend them for the two weeks remaining in the competition.
By doing so, Kaierau accepted its share of culpability for Saturday's brawl, which led to the match between the two being called off with a quarter to go. Their decision was backed up by the union hearing.
Apparently, Ruapehu similarly accepted responsibility at their hearing on Monday, although the club officials will not comment on the final decision until after a club meeting at 10am today.
Kaierau also suspended its three cited players - Nemai Adrole, Tupae Pati and Motoi Lakina - for four weeks, a decision backed-up by the union's judicial committee last night. Ruapehu''s three cited players will appear tonight. It was Adrole's first appearance before a union judicial committee.
The players' hearing lasted only a few minutes - and Kaierau's appearance was over in half an hour after the initiative that club took.
Both clubs were also fined $500 and have to post a $1000 good behaviour bond for 2008.
Further Kaierau action includes an immediate ban on the sale of liquor during the playing of club matches and the banning of one of the troublemakers from last Saturday's crowd "interaction".
Kaierau president Darrell Robinson and Lloyd Allpress presented the club's defence last night, and started by apologizing for the incident.
"It (the club) acknowledges the appropriateness of the investigation and the laying of charges of bringing the game into disrepute.
"There can be no doubt that Saturday's incident did that to Wanganui rugby and rugby in general," Robinson said in Kaierau's statement.
He said Kaierau accepted any punishment the union decided but wanted to make a couple of points.
"It has been of extreme concern to Kaierau (and other Wanganui clubs) that racism is inherent in Wanganui rugby. The use of the words "nigger, black c...., black coconuts and overstayer" are regularly heard from players and spectators alike.
"Kaierau has bought this to the Rugby Union's attention and feel disappointed that the matter has not been more fully addressed - as it may have reduced the likelihood of the July 21 incident or maybe even prevented it happening," the statement said.
Thus, says Robinson, "the matter needs to be addressed and out of this unfortunate incident Kaierau pleads that the Rugby union move with regard to stamping out racism in rugby."
Kaierau also mentions the effect of drinking spectators, and has moved to bring in an alcohol ban. Kaierau criticised the actions of Ruapehu supporters in racing on to the field to join in.
Union chief executive Haig Elgar says that the council-of-clubs has instituted an inquiry into the running of club rugby and the procedures and suggests these will have to be tweaked and changed.
Robinson finished by saying the key to the club's reaction was to protect as best possible the reputation of Wanganui rugby.
"As part of that exercise Kaierau wants to maintain its own reputation and that is why it has moved quickly to deal with this incident and impose its own club-based sanctions on the players involved."
PICTURED:Kaierau Rugby Club chairman Kyall Green stands behind one of the signs just erected by the club as part of its measures to curb violence on its grounds.
Rugby brawlers kicked into touch
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.