Rugby: 'Ugly fight' mars match

LISTEN UP: Kaeo's Under-16 rugby team receive half-time words from coach Eric Rush.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

An altercation involving two junior Far North rugby teams has had an ugly result, both on the field and off it.

Saturday's North Zone IMB under-16 match between Kaeo and Eastern/Waipapakauri - which Kaeo won 63-5 - saw a scuffle between two players reignite after the final whistle, with some spectators accusing a member of Kaeo's coaching staff, former All Black and Sevens legend Eric Rush, of manhandling one of Waipapakauri's players in an attempt to disperse it.

Though the altercation was brought under control, Eastern Waipapakauri coach Gary Christensen said the events at Kaeo "did leave a sour taste".

"He [Eric Rush] did have him by the scruff of the neck," Christensen said. "He sort of had him and pushed him around."

While Christensen said he did not think Rush's actions were warranted, he believes he has seen a lot worse at rugby matches before.

When questioned about Saturday's events, Rush said "I haven't heard anything of it - [it was] all over after the final whistle".

"I'm not talking about it, [it] finished after the whistle," he added.

Northland Rugby Union operations manager, Kyal Collins, said that he had spoken to the parties involved and that the union were working through their processes to sort the situation.

"There was an ugly fight during the game [but] the referee was unable to pinpoint the instigators," Collins said.

"After the game there was an altercation [but] I'm not going to comment too much more, we're going through the relevant procedures.

I understand that a lot of it was dealt with after the game, [with] people apologising ."

Collins noted that no individual players were cited, as the referee had not issued any red cards, but there was serious etiquette issues which management of both sides will be asked to address.

"We're certainly not advocates for fighting," he said.