Bad decisions lead to 100-0 league rout
Porirua Vikings’ 100-0 premier match embarrassment against University Hunters on July 12 is the result of good people making poor decisions, the general manager of Wellington Rugby League says.
The match at Kelburn, which was called off in the second half with the score at 100-0 to University, was a result of the Vikings’ premiers not being able to field a team. Injuries were rife among the premier squad, but a number of the fit players turned out for the Vikings reserve grade side that day.
Wellington Rugby League general manager Jason Hemson said that, after an investigation, the Vikings reserves had been stripped of two competition points.
‘‘It was widely reported that the Porirua Vikings fielded a senior first side [the club’s third team] for the premier match, which in itself does not constitute a breach of the WRL rules,’’ Hemson said.
‘‘[But] it was also apparent that an excessive number of premier players played in the reserve grade fixture with the intent of winning that match for the purpose of gaining a home ground advantage in the upcoming finals.’’
Hemson was satisfied that the Vikings had dealt with the matter internally. He said he would be reminding club management and their coaches the wider implications of their actions and responsibilities they shared.
He was confident lessons had been learnt.
‘‘The Vikings club dealt with the matter in an efficient and professional manner, are accepting of the punishment and have offered apologies to WRL, the Hunters and our member clubs,’’ he said.
‘‘Sometimes good people make poor decisions and this is one of those occasions.
‘‘It was not a good look for Wellington Rugby League, the premier competition or the Vikings club itself.’’
Porirua Vikings’ premier side were knocked out of the playoffs after a 36- 16 loss to Wainuiomata, and the club’s reserve side lost 8- 4 to Randwick.
The reserves have another life, however, and will square up to St George Dragons’ reserve team in a knockout semifinal this Saturday.