Kiwi clubs respond to racism incident

NEWS: Two New Zealand rugby clubs have vowed to crack down on bad behaviour following an on-field fight.

The Jack Lamason Memorial Cup match between Old Boys University RFC (OBU) and Marist St Pats RFC (MSP on May 8 was marred by an ugly on-field fight that was allegedly sparked by racial slurs.

However, while the players and spectators involved have not been identified on Friday, MSP, OBU and the Wellington Rugby Football Union (WRFU) released a joint statement, saying a meeting to “resolve any issues” had been held at the WRFU office the previous evening.

All three organisations were reportedly pleased with the outcome and expressed “regret and dismay” at what had happened, saying it was contradictory to the clubs’ values.

The statement read: “The parties were all pleased with the meeting and express regret and dismay at the events that occurred towards the end of the match. There was a united view that such incidents are completely contrary to the values of the clubs, the union and of our wonderful game.

“Both MSP and OBU have enjoyed a long-standing fierce on-field rivalry against a background of equally long-standing mutual respect and friendship. MSP acknowledged that OBU is not a racist club. The clubs, the WRRA and the WRFU are united in their condemnation of racist comments or slurs.

“The clubs have confirmed their continued co-operation with the WRFU in improving side-line behaviour across all grades. From now on there will be a better patrolling of side-lines to proactively call out bad behaviour and better manage issues relating to alcohol consumption at grounds,”