Seven rugby players from Auckland's Kelston Boys High School have been suspended after an on-field brawl with Auckland Grammar School.
Five 1st XV players and two 2nd XV players, who were watching the game and joined the fight, were suspended from school, Kelston principal Steve Watt said in a statement on the school's website.
Auckland Grammar, which won the match 20-9, has not yet said how many pupils it was suspending.
In a letter to parents, Mr Watt said an Auckland Grammar player started the fight in the final minutes of the semifinal match on Saturday, when he punched a Kelston player.
Players and up to 100 spectators were caught up in the fight, which lasted five minutes and led to at least one schoolboy being knocked out, according to a witness.
Mr Watt said in an announcement he had reviewed video evidence of the incident and interviewed players involved.
"I am suspending five members of the 1st XV for their involvement in the incident. I am also suspending two members of the 2nd XV who, being spectators at the match, became involved.
"These students will be required to appear before the disciplinary committee of the board of trustees," he said.
"A full school assembly was held on Monday, August 17, at which I expressed my disgust at the school's involvement. I outlined strategies sportsmen can use to avoid such conflict. I also warned the school again of the consequences of becoming involved in such behaviour."
The suspensions come ahead of an Auckland Rugby Union judicial hearing tonight.
