Rugby: Back from 'battlefront'

Boris Bouhraoua, Napier Old Boys Marist halfback, was on the receiving end during a melee in Malaysia last weekend. Photo / File

Hawke's Bay-based Algeria rugby captain Boris Bouhraoua will play in Malaysia again despite having a chair broken over his head during a sideline brawl in Malacca last weekend.

"I'll go back there again if we need to play ... we are a new federation and need to go where we can get games," Bouhraoua said.

The Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist halfback will miss today's Tui Maddison Trophy fourth round game against Northfuels Central in Waipukurau to allow his head wound, which required four stitches, more time to heal. The brawl, which involved players, officials and spectators, happened before the final of the inaugural Crescent Cup Championship tournament between Algeria and Malaysia was called off with 15 minutes remaining.

"Our team made the first mistake by fighting out on the field but it got out of hand because it was close to the sideline and everyone else got involved. There wasn't enough security and that's where the tournament organisers need to be more responsible," Bouhraoua said.

An assistant referee had several teeth broken and suffered neck injuries in the fight while 10 players from both sides required treatment for broken bones and cuts.

"Our players became frustrated with the rulings of the Thai referee. The penalty count was 28-3 against us ... I know we are not the All Blacks or France but the International Rugby Board might be able to appoint better referees in future," Bouhraoua said.

"It was a sad experience. We are not a dangerous team and we didn't come out on to the field to fight."

The tournament involved six Islamic countries - Iran, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan were the others - and it was aimed at promoting solidarity and close co-operation between the countries. Both finalists were unbeaten before the final and Malaysia led 19-11 when the match was abandoned.

A former France Sevens, Universities, under-21 and under-18 rep, Bouhraoua, 31, qualifies for Algeria through his grandfather. He first played for Algeria five years ago.

Bouhraoua was hoping a final victory in Malacca would be the start of Algeria's qualification process for the 2019 World Cup. Almost as disappointing as the brawl for him was returning to the Bay and learning NOBM were winless after three rounds in the Maddison Trophy comp.

"It's strange after having a good first round and finishing second in the Nash Cup. Our team will come back. If we train hard we can come back and earn a semifinal spot," he said.

Even without Bouhraoua, expect NOBM to record their first win in the competition, by at least 17 points.

Unbeaten competition leaders Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports will face their toughest match of the comp when they play Carters Frame and Truss Taradale away. It is the hosts' club day and after two consecutive losses they should bounce back with a seven-point win.

The other unbeaten teams, Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports and Progressive Meats Havelock North, meet at Tamatea Park. The villagers' forwards have made tremendous progress this season but may find the going tough against the host pack.

If Pirate first five-eighth David Neilson can maintain his recent form, expect the hosts to win by six. In other games, Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical should beat K9 Petfoods Clive by 16 at Farndon Park and MAC should return to form with an 11-point win against Tamatea at Flaxmere Park.