11 May 2021

Alleged racial slurs behind Wellington rugby brawl

From Checkpoint, 5:15 pm on 11 May 2021

There are allegations sideline boozing at a Wellington club rugby game led to racial slurs and a brawl in the final minutes of a match - with one spectator knocked to the ground.

Wellington Rugby is investigating the incident at the game between the Marist St Pats and Old Boys University clubs at Wellington College on Saturday.

Parts of the altercation were caught on match video, but apparently not the racial abuse.

Now there is allegation and counter allegation from the opposing teams.

Marist St Pats Chairman Rob Evans was at the game. He says the Old Boys scored the final try, but some of their supporters who had been drinking rushed onto the field before the full-time whistle and yelled "vile racial slurs".

He described the lead up to the confrontation to Lisa Owen.

Old Boys University would not be interviewed, but in a statement it said the allegations of racism are against a spectator, not a player.

The club says the alleged behaviour does not reflect its values and OBU does not condone or tolerate any conduct of this nature.

It also claims the alleged racist comments follow on from an assault on a spectator and verbal abuse of match officials by Marist St Pats players.

For its part, Wellington Rugby says misconduct complaints have been laid against both teams and there's a hearing on Thursday.

It notes there is zero tolerance for alcohol consumption on the sidelines of Wellington club rugby matches.