Teenage players escape sanction after footy fracas
No-one will face disciplinary action after an under-18 game was called off in Timaru with a probe failing to find any evidence of foul play.
Roncalli Combined was leading Aoraki Combined by 50 points in a friendly last Friday when a high tackle resulted in substitutes from both sides joining a melee, which saw the experienced referee call the game off.
South Canterbury Rugby Union chief executive Craig Calder said after receiving reports and interviewing the referee, the match day manager and team management from both sides no further disciplinary action was needed.
‘‘The union has conducted an extensive inquiry into the friendly game between Roncalli College Rugby Club First XV and an Aoraki under-18 club combined side which was called off on Friday evening,’’ Calder said.
‘‘From the reports received, our investigations and interviews, we concluded there was no clear evidence presented that any aggressive foul play occurred or punches thrown. No specific players were cited by any officials.
‘‘I have considered the facts and evidence presented from this unfortunate incident and I am satisfied overall the incident involving the two teams in their midteens does not warrant the full force of the SCRU disciplinary process.’’
Two spectators at the game, spoken to by Fairfax, had claimed at least one person had left the grandstand to join in the melee, while an Aoraki prop playing in the game said a team-mate had been punched after the tackle that sparked the incident.
Calder said there had been no yellow or red cards or warnings issued during the game, although the high tackle would have warranted a yellow had the game not been stopped.
‘‘The game was played in a reasonably good spirit, nine minutes into the third quarter there was a high tackle on a player which the opposing player reacted to, causing other players to join in the on field melee close to the sideline.
‘‘Some reserves from both teams who were stationed on the side-line decided to join in.’’
Calder said no evidence was given that identified any player that threw a punch.
‘‘The same applies to anyone leaving the stand. There is simply no evidence presented or found.’’
Calder said he was deeply disappointed at the behaviour of the players and that had been expressed to both clubs.
‘‘The South Canterbury Rugby Union certainly does not condone this type of conduct by underage players or by any players for that matter.
‘‘Each club has been asked to address the actions of their players and team.’’
Calder said other lessons had been learnt. ‘‘We have a very strict match day management policy that focuses on side-line behaviour.
‘‘It would appear some of these protocols have not been adhered to, being a friendly game.
‘‘The concerns raised and lessons learnt from this game will be reinforced and communicated with all South Canterbury clubs.’’
Calder said he has also met with the management and coaches of the newly formed under 18 Aoraki team (compromised of players from South Canterbury clubs) and presented a code of conduct agreement which clearly outlines the expected standards and values of the team on and off the field.
South Canterbury Rugby Referees’ Association chairman Mark Goodhew was not available for comment while Roncalli College deputy principal Andrew Jones, who laid a complaint with the SCRU regarding sideline behaviour, did not respond to a request for comment.
The combined teams are a new feature of South Canterbury under-18 rugby.
Roncalli Combined will play in the the Crusaders Schools Championships and have recruited two players each from Mackenzie College and Geraldine High School, in the hope of making them more competitive.
As part of a major shake-up in South Canterbury age-group rugby the South Canterbury under-18 competition has been canned in favour of entering a combined Aoraki team in the combined Ellesmere, Mid and North Canterbury competition.