Auckland U-16 rugby league match canceled after spectators attacked young players

A rugby league match between two U-16 boys’ teams in South Auckland was called off after spectators entered the field and began attacking the young players.

In a video posted online, a man stormed onto the pitch and threw a punch at one of the Otara Scorpions players during their match against the Manurewa Marlins on Saturday.

He made only minor contact after the player dived to avoid it.

Willie Maea, general manager of Otara Rugby League Club, said Heraldthat wasn’t the only instance of violence in that game.

“Although the actions on the field were controlled by the referee, they do not allow adults to enter the field,” he said.

“For us, we want to identify these men, charge them with assault and enter them from this property.”

Maea surmised that the one-sided play had led to the fight as the Scorpions had won 48-0 at the time of the incident.

He said club officials and the referee decided to call off the match with 10 minutes to go because “it was too hot on the sidelines.”

Manurewa Marlins chairman Karla Matua said the club does not condone violence.

“Our priority has been to ensure that our team and team management are mentally, physically and spiritually safe and we have wrapped support services around them,” Matua said.

“We have a positive dialogue with Otara RL and both clubs want the same thing: that our children are safe and that those responsible are dealt with appropriately.”

Both Maea and Matua were concerned that the video shared on social media would inflame the situation.

“We have a team of very shaken children who have gone through a traumatic experience and our goal is to make sure they are safe,” Matua said.

“The damaging part of social media is whether this experience could impact them outside of the safe environment the club has created.

“We have asked our children not to comment or even watch some of these things. Our children have to travel, take the bus and go to school.”

Maea said both clubs want their children to be safe and enjoy rugby league.

“Both clubs are proud rugby league clubs and it has nothing to do with the club but with individuals who have taken it upon themselves to do something,” Matua said.

Matua said the players never want this to happen again.

“They want to train and only play rugby league.”

An Auckland Rugby League spokesperson said they were aware of the incident that took place in Otara on Saturday.

“ARL has a zero-tolerance policy for this type of violence and behavior. We have legal procedures in place and if necessary we will involve the police.”