Officials confident crowds will behave during RWC

A pitch intruder is carried off by security during the Four Nations match between the Kiwis and the Kangaroos. Photo / Getty Images

Eden Park officials are confident that next year's rugby World Cup won't see a repeat of the poor crowd behaviour that marred the Four Nations rugby league double-header last night.

While players from the four teams gave the thumbs-up to their first experience of the newly refurbished venue, the Kangaroos' 34-20 win over the Kiwis was blighted by spectators throwing empty plastic bottles on to the ground.

One incident happened as Australian skipper Cameron Smith was lining up a sideline conversion in the first half.

A much bigger incident occurred midway through the second spell, after the Kangaroos had shot out to a 34-10 lead with two quick tries.

During a "Mexican wave", a large number of objects thrown into the air landed on to ground surrounds and into the in-goal that the Kiwis were defending.

Security personnel also had to contend with a streaker, whose dash on to the field almost interfered with play.

Police later said they made six arrests for disorder-related offences.

The double bill, which also comprised a curtainraiser between England and Papua New Guinea, was the first time international matches of any code had been staged at Eden Park since the stadium's redevelopment was completed.

Eden Park Trust Board chief executive David Kennedy said there would be a debriefing this week to drawn lessons from the event.

However, he was confident about crowd management at the rugby World Cup, when the matches at the ground will include the tournament opener, both semifinals, the third-fourth playoff and the final.

"It's the first time we've had 45,000-odd people into the new stadium," he said.

"Learning how they act and we react or are proactive with managing security and the police presence is something we will take away with us."

While incidents that happened were "way less than ideal", they were brought under control quickly.

Kennedy also said a decision was still to be made on whether beer at the World Cup would be served in bottles, or in plastic cups, which were less easy to throw.

The crowd issues apart, he said all other aspects of the night had gone well.

Meanwhile, Smith said he felt an object come over his left shoulder as he lined up his goal attempt -- which he landed.

"That sort of thing they do to try to put you off, but I had to compose myself and put in through the posts," he said.

"That's my job and I did it."

He was similarly philosophical about hearing the Australian national anthem being booed before the match.

He hadn't experienced that before, but it was something the players had no control over.

Team-mate Brent Tate said the some of the crowd behaviour was "a little disappointing" but it didn't detract from "a really good night".

"The atmosphere out there was unbelievable - that was as good an atmosphere I've played in ever," the former New Zealand Warrior said.

"At the start of the game, it was almost deafening. Whilst the result didn't go their way, I think it was a great night for rugby league in New Zealand."

New Zealand halfback Nathan Fien said he had to help throw some of the bottles off the field and described what had happened with Smith as "not a good look", but the overall occasion was one he would remember for a long time.

"It was electric," he said.

"As soon as we ran out, the crowd was unbelievable. In terms of atmosphere, it matched any venue I've played in."

- NZPA