Two naked pitch invaders ran into Auckland’s Eden Park during the Super Rugby game between the Blues and Chiefs on Saturday night.
The video which had gone viral on social media showed a streaker being tackled and held on the leg by a security, but he let go of his underwear and ran off stark naked, flew the barricade and into the field. Watch below:
While he ran towards the players, he slipped and fell and seemingly injured his ankle. Determined, the pitch invader got up and even dodged security before he was ultimately tackled to the ground.
He was not alone, another man wearing just underwear also attempted to run into the pitch. Luckily, he was caught before he crossed the barricade. Both men appeared to have been injured by the slippery grass.
The incident all happened during the second half of the game. The medical service on the ground treated one of the men before he was transported to Auckland Hospital.
Their actions were frowned upon by the Park’s communications manager Bronwynne Howse who could not help wondering what their intentions were for illegally entering a football field during play, but noted that their actions were a security risk, especially to the “players, referees, and ground staff”.
Howse in his statement also advocated for more severe punishments in collaboration with sporting organizations, Players’ Association officials, and relevant government authorities.
The opening game of the tournament ended in a 25-14 victory for the Chiefs.
Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson shrugged off the naked streakers as a light laugh that was not a distraction. However, the defeated Blues said it was somewhat of a distraction but was not the reason for their failure.
