No signs of sequel to rugby brawl

Rumours of an alleged "no weapons, no police" teenage fight planned for the weekend appear to have been just "bravado", police say.

On Friday, sports administrators and police were warning teenagers in the towns there would be serious consequences if any further violence or bad behaviour occurred following a youth rugby match brawl between an Upper Clutha under-16 side and a Cromwell under 17-side in Wanaka on August 11.

Police were monitoring the social media website Facebook after a tip-off from a member of the public that teenagers were making plans for a fight because of ongoing friction.

Constable Greg Nolet said it appeared the youths involved had "come to their senses" as Wanaka police had received no reports of any fights in the area.

"I think it was more Facebook bravado than anything." Central Otago police area commander Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said Cromwell police had not been called to any incidents of that nature at the weekend either.

Wanaka youths believed to be promoting the fight were spoken to by police before the weekend, along with their parents and rugby club leaders.

Players had also been warned by their clubs that any involvement in the fight would not be tolerated.

Senior Sergeant Allan Grindell said on Friday afternoon he believed the message had got through and police were "certainly getting the impression that the Wanaka people, particularly the ones that were around it [the rugby match brawl] last week, are not interested in being involved in any fights".

The Otago Rugby Football Union is still assessing a complaint made by the Upper Clutha Rugby Club against some of the Cromwell players and coach Matt Ludemann, following the brawl.

-lucy.ibbotson@odt.co.nz

 

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