Southland reprimand for team

Southland's late-night partying sevens rugby players will escape with reprimands in a continuation of off-field incidents that chief executive Roger Clark admits has damaged the provincial union's reputation.

The team apparently drank heavily after the first day's play at the national tournament in Queenstown last Saturday and did not return to their hotel until early on Sunday, despite having a 10.15am game against Marlborough.

An opposition team member even complained that the Southland side stank of alcohol.

Clark has spoken to team managers and the squad's five Rugby Southland-contracted players.

"All I've been doing is giving our players a reminder of their responsibilities under their collective contract."

Clark said team managers, including coach Jeremy Winders, would not be held responsible for the after-hours socialising of some squad members.

He said the episode was a further body blow for the image of Southland rugby, which has been dogged by recent alcohol problems.

This month, star flanker Hale T-Pole was convicted for assaulting two men outside an Invercargill pub.

Captain Steve Jackson was at the centre of an alleged drinking session with other players before the Stags' crucial final NPC game against Bay of Plenty in October.

- NZPA