Police may end school rugby sponsorship

The principals of Auckland Grammar and Kelston Boys High have given different accounts of who struck the first blow. Photo / Murray Job, Sky Sport

The police say they might drop their sponsorship of Auckland secondary schools rugby if violence on the field continues.

The department sent an email yesterday to the Auckland Rugby Union expressing its disappointment about player misbehaviour.

"If it [violent behaviour] happens week in and week out, we would have to reconsider our support," said James Whitaker, the department's recruitment marketing manager.

The email was sent in response to the brawl between the Auckland Grammar and Kelston Boys High 1st XVs on Saturday.

An incident after the last try resulted in a fight between players that escalated to involve up to 100 people.

The fight disgusted All Black coach and former Kelson principal Graham Henry - who was on the sideline - and triggered calls from the incumbent Kelston head for security at big games.

Mr Whitaker said the department's email spoke of a perceived alignment between rugby and policing.

"The things they have in common are discipline, teamwork and fair play. The behaviour shown by some of the players in that game on Saturday directly goes against those values."

The email asked for the anti-violence message to be passed on to coaches and managers - "because they are the ones in contact with the players".

Auckland Rugby Union CEO Andy Dalton labelled the brawl "disgraceful". He said school rugby had always been competitive, but that was no excuse for such violent behaviour.

"The two teams and their schools now face media attention for all the wrong reasons, as well as a judiciary process in a week that one team should have been looking forward to playing their school rugby final at Eden Park."