Rugby: Quartet banned after brawl

Four-week bans have been imposed on two players and two spectators following a brawl during a premier club rugby game in Cambridge last Saturday.

The four appeared before the Waikato Rugby Union's (WRU) judicial committee last night after the match, at Cambridge's Memorial Park, erupted in a brawl.

The game, won 27-18 by Hautapu over Hamilton Marist, was disrupted towards the end of the first half by a brawl which started in the crowd but was then joined by players.

The judicial committee said two Hautapu players, TK Moeke and Romana Graham, would be banned from playing rugby for four weeks.

Two spectators, Travis Church and Romana Graham (senior), were banned from attending any rugby games in the next four weeks.

WRU chief executive Graham Bowen said Saturday's incident was "extremely disappointing".

He said that in addition to the bans, both clubs have been asked by the WRU to review their internal processes and report back to the board within seven days.

"The behaviour of many club members at Memorial Park on Saturday was totally unacceptable and Waikato Rugby will not tolerate a repeat of such an incident," Bowden said.

"I have clearly advised each club they have a responsibility to put in place actions to ensure such an event does not occur again."

- NZPA