Weekend of shame

FULL DECK: A total of 73 yellow cards has been issued in Wanganui rugby this season with Border the guiltiest with 13, Ratana are second with eight and Pirates equal third. Ngamatapouri are on seven. PHOTO/FILEA-160515WCBRCRUG01

A SPATE of unruly incidents on and off the field at the weekend has left a sour taste in the mouths of the Wanganui rugby fraternity.

Not only were there 13 yellow cards issued for on-field offences in premier and senior games on Saturday, an unfortunate incident during the Ruapehu/Marton senior game in Ohakune is being investigated by the host club.

The incident at Rochford Park involved a Ruapehu senior player allegedly verbally abusing the non-ticketed referee adjudicating on the day. Ruapehu lost the home game to Marton 21-17.

The abuse from the player allegedly continued after the final whistle and may have involved Ruapehu club officials as well.

Initial unofficial reports suggested the senior player was facing a two-year ban from Ruapehu's home ground at Rochford Park and from playing for the club for the same period.

Ruapehu club captain Steve McDougall said no decision had been made and the matter was still being investigated.

"It was an unfortunate incident that we are still investigating. The player has not been banned as has been suggested," McDougall said yesterday.

Wanganui Rugby Union (WRU) club liaison officer Paul Kenny said the union was aware of the incident and confirmed it was a Ruapehu in-house investigation.

"We have talked with the club and I believe there probably will be repercussions, " Kenny said.

"In the meantime, there were 13 yellow cards issued on Saturday and that's just a shocking number.

"What's even more concerning is the number for repeat offending. Two were handed out to one player each at two different matches, so that automatically gives those players a mandatory two-week stand down."

One involved Pirates lock Sanelle Ah Chookoon for repeat dangerous tackles in the premier match with Border in Waverley.