Wanaka and Cromwell police and sports administrators have issued a zero-tolerance warning to teenagers in the towns as they try to shut down plans for a fight this weekend following a youth rugby match brawl a week ago.
Wanaka police said they were monitoring the Facebook social media website after a tip-off from a member of the public that teenagers were making online plans for a "no weapons, no police" fight.
The plans were a result of "continuing friction" after a brawl broke out at a match between an Upper Clutha under-16 side and a Cromwell under-17 side at the Upper Clutha rugby grounds in Wanaka last Saturday, Senior Sergeant Allan Grindell, of Wanaka, said.
A Cromwell player was dealt with by police for assault after he allegedly punched a Wanaka player and knocked his tooth out.
The Upper Clutha Rugby Club has lodged a formal complaint to the Otago Rugby Football Union against some Cromwell players and coach Matt Ludemann.
"There's certain individuals who are promoting the idea of a fight.
We're not sure of the exact location as yet but, obviously, both the Cromwell police and ourselves are aware of it," Snr Sgt Grindell said.
Names of several Wanaka youths promoting the fight had come to light, and those people were spoken to by police yesterday, along with parents, coaches and other rugby club representatives.
Snr Sgt Grindell was confident the message was out that any antisocial, violent behaviour would not be tolerated.
Upper Clutha Junior Rugby Club president Dean Millar said Upper Clutha players had been spoken to and an email was being sent to parents and players last night.
"If any Upper Clutha player is involved in this alleged 'no cops, no weapons' fight ... and brings the Upper Clutha Rugby Club into disrepute, they will be severely dealt with by way of suspension and I would ask the Cromwell club to take the same message to their players," he said.
"We're taking this very seriously and we're not putting up with it. To be quite honest, I'm actually sick of the whole thing - it's got out of hand."
Cromwell Rugby Club president Jason Clark was not aware of the fight rumours, but was confident his players would not be involved. Mount Aspiring College principal Wayne Bosley and Cromwell College principal Mason Stretch said they had no knowledge of the arranged fight.
