Two-week ban for violent spectator

The Border Rugby Club supporter who put his hands on an Integrity Motors Pirates player at the June 27 Premier game in Waverley has been given a two-week ban from attending matches.

The decision was handed down at the WRFU judiciary on Thursday night, following a probe which was undertaken after the union received evidence of the incident.

WRFU club liaison officer Paul Kenny said the spectator was also required to write a letter of apology to the player and the Pirates club.

Kenny said the New Zealand Rugby Union had been in touch recently regarding taking action against sideline violence, in the wake of a number of serious incidents in other parts of the country, including the brawl which involved over 40 people at an under 15 game in Auckland in June.

Also from Thursday night, the two Wanganui senior grade players who received red cards in last weekend's round of games " from Ratana and Utiku Old Boys respectively " took the automatic two-week suspensions.

Meanwhile, today's two Tasman Tanning Premier games which were scheduled for Spriggens Park will be moved to the Wanganui Racecourse No1 field as the park remains unfit for play following the June 20 floods.

The sand-based turf, maintained by Wanganui District Council ground, had been bare in patches this season, even before the big rain event.

Kenny said the Pirates vs Harvey Round Motors and Waverley Harvesting Border vs Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist games will kick off at the same time of 1pm and 2.35pm respectively. The senior games of Marist Celtic vs Ngamatapouri and Sealswinslow Pirates vs Taihape have been moved to the Racecourse No2 ground.

Kenny said notices have been sent to the clubs regarding the Finals Day on August 1 and it is likely the games will be held at Cooks Gardens.