List of rugby union incidents

The following is a listing of all off-field incidents that have received media coverage, particularly those involving footballers from rugby union competitions in Australia, France, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

Incidents

1998

*

1999

*

2000

* Several Wallabies including Joe Roff, Rod Kafer and Owen Finegan were accused of damaging a cab and behaving loutishly in a South African restaurant. The trio were suspended for two-matches and given fines, while another two players were given severe warnings [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/05/1078464637181.html Brumbies player charged over cab theft - Union - www.theage.com.au ] ] .

2001

*

2002

* Two South African rugby union players, Riaan Botha and Ben Korff, were found guilty of the "brutal slaying" of nineteen year old black man Tshepo Matloha [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1939289.stm BBC News | AFRICA | SA rugby players guilty of murder ] ] .
* Former Wales international and Neath forward Hywel Jenkins was charged with rape of a twenty-eight year old woman [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/2053599.stm BBC NEWS | UK | Wales | Rape charge rugby star's town ban ] ] .
* An un-named Japanese rugby union player was accused of rape [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_go1894/is_200205/ai_n6916373 Ex-rugby player, TV Asahi reach settlement on rape report. | Japan Weekly Monitor | Find Articles at BNET.com ] ] .
* Two University of California, Berkeley female students filed a lawsuit against San Diego State University and its rugby union team after they claimed they were gang-raped by the schools rugby union side [ [http://www.dailycal.org/sharticle.php?id=8289 The Daily Californian ] ] .

2003

* After several alleged racial incidents within the South African Springboks, team an independent inquiry into the incidents was ordered before then being cancelled by the South African Rugby Football Union [http://sport.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=619&id=1360112003 SARFU keeps its racism investigation in house - Scotsman.com Sport ] ] .
* South African international Geo Cronje allegedly refused to share a room with team Quinton Davids because of his race [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2003/08/29/srsafr29.xml Racism row hits Springboks - Rugby Union News - Telegraph ] ] . He was later thrown out of their World Cup training squad because of the incident.

2004

* Former Scotland rugby union international Bryan Gossman was charged with the rape of a woman in Northern Ireland [ [http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=53&id=1788232005 Anger as former rugby international's rape trial is delayed - Scotsman.com News ] ] .
* South African rugby union player Charlie Manuel was given a life suspension by the Boland Rugby Union club after he hit opposing assistant coach Andre Carstens so hard that his eardrum burst [ [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=18&art_id=qw1151423462871S163&set_id= IOL: History of violence emerges after rugby death ] ] .
* ACT Brumbies player Henari Veratau was charged by police after he allegedly dragged a taxi driver from his cab and then went on to steal it.
*Former French captain and "national hero" Marc Cecillon shot his wife Chantal in the head with a Magnum revolver at a house party in front of around 60 guests. He was sentenced to twenty years jail in 2006. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,,1941159,00.html Ex-French rugby star on trial for wife's murder | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited ] ] . [ [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10409861 Rugby star Cecillon - from national hero to murder accused - 09 Nov 2006 - NZ Herald: World / International News ] ] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6136954.stm BBC NEWS | Europe | French sportsman guilty of murder ] ] .
* It was alleged that Australian Wallaby Mat Rogers had assaulted and abused an individual at a nightclub in Edinburgh at 4am after the first Australia-Scotland Test on November 6, however the Australian Rugby Union took no action over the incident [http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2004/11/23/1100972392456.html] .
* Mat Rogers was fined after an undisclosed amount after he stated that Sydney club rugby was nothing but a "waste of time" for Wallabies players [ [http://tvnz.co.nz/view/sport_story_skin/450282 Rogers fined for comments | RUGBY | SPORT | tvnz.co.nz ] ] .
* Professional footballer Stan Collymore alleged that several members of the Bath Rugby team assaulted him leaving Collymore with a broken nose [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/somerset/3970875.stm BBC NEWS | UK | England | Somerset | Collymore alleges rugby assault ] ] .

2005

* Aaron Mauger claimed some of the members of the All Blacks were subjected to racial remarks while playing against England at Twickenham Stadium [ [http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3562_1692134,00.html Mauger quotes fuel bad feeling - Rugby News, Results, Fixtures and Features from Planet-Rugby.com ] ] .
* A bouncer at a Sydney nightclub claimed that South African Springbok captain John Smit hurled racial abuse at him. The claims were later withdrawn without explanation [ [http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200509/s1451399.htm ABC Sport - Rugby Union - Racism charge against Springbok skipper withdrawn ] ] .
* Australian Wallaby international Justin Harrison called Cats winger Chumani Booi as a "stinking black cunt" while in a Super 12 fixture. Team mate Nathan Grey was originally accused of making the statement but it took Harrison a day to own up to it [http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2005/03/21/1111253954151.html] .
* The Wales Rugby Union stated that thirty cases were reported to them about Welsh fixtures where match officials have been abused while on the field of play including some of a physical nature [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/4168463.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Welsh | WRU tackles referee abuse ] ] .
* Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor and Matt Dunning were all fined and handed out punishments of suspended two-match bans for being out inappropriately at night, being intoxicated and participating in unruly behaviour [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2005/07/26/srwild26.xml Errant Wallaby sent home - Rugby Union News - Telegraph ] ] .
* Australian Wallaby Matt Henjak was sent home from a South African tour following a nightclub incident in Cape Town where he threw the contents of a glass at other patrons [http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2005/07/25/1122143783458.html] [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200507/s1422126.htm Henjak regretful after being sent home from South Africa. 26/07/2005. ABC News Online ] ] .

2006

* England international Olly Barkley was arrested by police after he was involved in a fight in which one man was left with head injuries and a broken jaw [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/5240604.stm BBC NEWS | UK | England | Cornwall | Rugby star Barkley held in fracas ] ] .
* Boland rugby player Riaan Loots was allegedly felled by a stiff arm during a tackle while playing for Rawsonville against Delicious. He was then kicked in the head and died in hospital two days later. Two players were charged with murder and three counts of assault. [http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3323078 Cape Argus: Violent spectators halt rugby match ] ] [ [http://www.dailynews.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3364853 Daily News: This isn't rugby, says grieving dad ] ] .
* Moments before a match against Australia at Jade Stadium, All Black Jerry Collins was caught on live television cameras urinating on the ground [http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/news/tri-nations/what-to-do-when-nature-calls/2006/07/09/1152383604016.html] .
* In the Western Cape of South Africa, a spectator at a rugby union match in Clanwilliam invaded the field brandishing a knife.
* During a Super 14 fixture between the South African Cats and the Australian Western Force, four men holding AK-47s robbed the ticket desk after threatening staff [ [http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__sport/&articleid=270829 The Cats: A franchise in serious trouble : Mail & Guardian Online ] ] .
* During a fixture between English rugby union clubs Northampton and Bath, allegations appeared of racism amongst members of both teams [ [http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFUHome.Community_Detail/StoryID/14704 Rugby Football Union - Community Rugby Detail ] ] .
* An un-named former All Black international was charged with domestic violence, possessing an offensive weapon and threatening to kill [ [http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3772163a12855,00.html New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz ] ] [ [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10400927 Rugby international bailed on domestic violence charges - 12 Sep 2006 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news ] ] .
* Several members of the Fijian national side while in Japan were dropped after they consumed excessive amounts of alcohol before fighting amongst themselves and damaging the hotel they were booked in at Osaka [http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=44274] .
* Caerphilly Rugby Football Club player Jordan Rees strangled his girlfriend after she spoke to an ex-boyfriend at the rugby club's fancy dress party [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6058556.stm BBC NEWS | UK | Wales | Rugby player strangled girlfriend ] ] .
* The Scottish Rugby Union suspended Justin McNabb for nine months for sustained and extreme verbal abuse of a referee [ [http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby.cfm?id=1584542006 Scotsman.com Sport ] ] .
* Lloyd McDermott, the first Aboriginal man to play international rugby union for the Australian team, claimed the reason he refused to play in South Africa was that he had to be classified as an ‘honorary white’ [ [http://www.abc.net.au/message/tv/ms/s1631862.htm Lloydies ] ] .
* A referee was forced to call off a match between Harlequins and Collegians after players began kicking, punching and swearing at each other. The two teams were suspended indefinitely. [ [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20060717011554863C645050 IOL: Another brawl mars weekend rugby match ] ] [http://www.planet-rugby.com/Teams/South_Africa/story_52566.shtml] [ [http://www.keo.co.za/2006/07/25/racism-sparked-club-brawl/ Keo.co.za » Cape club cries injustice ] ]
* Australian Wallaby Matt Dunning was fined $3,000 and faced a disciplinary committee after he was intoxicated and damaged a taxi [ [http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200608/s1709993.htm ABC Sport - Rugby Union - Cab incident not over for Dunning ] ] [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200608/s1711175.htm Dunning fined over cab incident. 10/08/2006. ABC News Online ] ] .
* South African player Charl van Vliet was accused of racism by a black French player while playing in the French rugby union second division [ [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=581&art_id=iol1166423425244R211 IOL: SA rugby player accused of racism in France ] ] .
* Northampton Saints player Mark Robinson was given a written warning after being found to have used "inappropriate language" believed to be of a racist tone towards Bath's Andy Higgins.
* Wendell Sailor was fined and suspended for "behaving aggressively" while intoxicated at the Billy the BUMS cocktail bar in Cape Town, South Africa [ [http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200602/s1574012.htm ABC Sport - Rugby Union - Sailor banned, fined after nightclub incident ] ] .He was later banned for two years after returning a positive test for cocaine [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/4768163.stm BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Sailor banned after positive test ] ] [http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2006/05/14/1147545210524.html] [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Cocaine-use-ends-Wendell-Sailors-career/2006/07/21/1153166551712.html Cocaine use ends Wendell Sailor's career - Breaking News - Sport - Breaking News ] ] .

2007

* New South Wales Waratahs player Kurtley Beale was found guilty of drink-driving while unlicensed, blowing twice the legal limit [http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2007/01/30/1169919338413.html] .
* At the conclusion of a match against Ulster Rugby, Stade Toulousain player Trevor Brennan physically assaulted a fan in the crowd including punching him in the head [ [http://www.ulsterrugby.com/11_4615.php Ulster Rugby : Ulster Rugby Official Statement: Toulouse v Ulster ] ] [http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/5996/730580868bd.jpg] [http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/4417/730580839ls.jpg] . He was eventually banned for life and fined over the incident [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Irelands-Trevor-Brennan-banned-for-life/2007/03/17/1174080200542.html Ireland's Trevor Brennan banned for life - Breaking News - Sport - Breaking News ] ] .
* While playing at Ulster Rugby, the Newport Gwent Dragons were allegedly subjected to racial abuse from home fans [ [http://www.rte.ie/sport/2007/0219/ulster.html RTÉ Sport: Ulster fans accused of racism ] ] .
* Scottish rugby union player Kenneth Gibson was charged with assault following an incident where he attacked an opposing player while playing for Hillhead Jordanhill [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/6356581.stm BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | South of Scotland | Player denies rugby match assault ] ] .
* All Black Sitiveni Sivivatu admitted to hitting his wife. He was arrested but later discharged without conviction and fined [http://www.stuff.co.nz/4024089a10.html] .
* An un-named Wellington rugby union player is wanted for questioning over the rape of a twenty year old female and several other rugby players are wanted for questioning over viewing the assault [ [http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/423466/1037672 Police investigate brutal rape | NATIONAL | NEWS | tvnz.co.nz ] ] .
* Drunken South African fans started racist chants and abuse at Rugby sevens coach Paul Treu after his side lost against Samoa in the Hong Kong Sevens [ [http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/Rugby/0,9294,2-9-838_2093052,00.html Racist abuse by SA rugby fans: Sport: Rugby: News24 ] ] .
* It was reported that an unnamed All Black tested positive for the use of cannabis following a test match against France [ [http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3562_1881334,00.html All Blacks dismiss substance abuse allegations - Rugby News, Results, Fixtures and Features from Planet-Rugby.com ] ] .
* Two Australian Internationals were questioned by police over the assault of a Queensland taxi driver during the early hours of the morning [ [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10456995 Rugby: Wallabies questioned over assault - 10 Aug 2007 - NZ Herald: Rugby news and coverage from New Zealand and around the World ] ] .
*On 19 October, 2007, Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chairman Peter McGrath stood aside after Bundaberg Rum reportedly accused him of being in an intoxicated state at the Rugby World Cup in Marseille, France. McGrath refuted the claims.cite web | url=http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/aru-chairman-stands-aside/2007/10/19/1192300999091.html | title=ARU chairman stands aside | publisher="The Sydney Morning Herald" | date=2007-10-19 | accessdate=2007-10-19]

External links

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ee also

*List of Australian rules football incidents
*List of rugby league incidents
*List of cricket incidents
*List of cricketers banned for match fixing
*List of violent spectator incidents in sports (world wide list)

References