Mass rugby brawl: Hearing date set

Police attend an incident at a rugby game, Kuranui Place. Photo / Michael Craig, Herald on Sunday

A hearing for a mass brawl at a schoolboy rugby match that hospitalised one 15-year-old player will be held next month.

Auckland Rugby Union's independent disciplinary committee will hear accounts of the brawl from Otahuhu College, Tangaroa College and other relevant parties including match officials and police called in to break up the 40-person scrap.

An Otahuhu player from the Under 15s grade match was knocked unconscious and taken to Middlemore in a serious condition.

He was unconscious for 15-minutes after he was reportedly hit from behind by the relative of a player from opposing Tangaroa College.

The teen was released from hospital on Sunday morning, but is still seeking treatment as an outpatient.

Police were still investigating the large-scale brawl and it was unknown if charges would be laid.

Tangaroa College principal Ngaire Ashmore said a hearing would take place on July 14 in front of the ARU's disciplinary committee.

The committee, made up of independent panellists, does not comment to the media but it was understood its decision would be released through the ARU.

Ms Ashmore said no students had faced disciplinary action at the school as a result of the incident.

"We are working our way through a process and really trying to understand exactly what happened and how it was able to happen," she said.

She said the school has held meetings with the Auckland Secondary Schools Rugby Union, police, Otahuhu College and students.

Ms Ashmore said all spectators who attended Saturday's game were welcome back to watch future games.

Otahuhu College principal Neil Watson said the school was also working with police, Tangaroa College and match officials.

The ARU has refused to talk about the incident until both police and its own internal processes are complete.