An Auckland secondary schoolgirls' rugby match descended into chaos when spectators and reserves rushed onto the field to intervene in a punch-up between two players.
The May 17 game between Mt Roskill Grammar School and Glendowie College was called off eight minutes into the second half after the girls from opposing teams traded punches, The New Zealand Herald reported today.
About half a dozen spectators and reserves from each side, some of whom were trying to break up the fight, joined in before the referee separated the girls.
The Auckland Rugby Union suspended the teams for a week, and the two players for two matches.
The schools said they were both "very disappointed" by the incident and the teams and players would face further consequences.
The suspensions follow outrage last year over discrepancies between the lengths of time players from Kelston Boys' High School and Auckland Grammar were banned after a brawl in August.
Meanwhile, in Christchurch spectators at this year's annual Christ's College-Christchurch Boys' High fixture will be breath tested by police before being admitted, after drunken fans have caused problems at previous encounters.
Police have warned fans to get to the venue early, as there will be delays.
