A mother has reportedly been sanctioned by a Sydney rugby club after she ran onto the field and became involved in a scuffle during an under-20s match on Saturday. The incident occurred during the game between Eastwood and Warringah at Epping Boys High School.
Incident Details
With ten minutes remaining in the match, two players pushed each other, sparking a scuffle. The mother of an Eastwood player then ran onto the pitch and jumped in 'to defend her son and pushed a player from Warringah', according to 2GB. The entire episode was captured on video.
The Eastwood club has sanctioned the woman over the incident, and she has also received a caution from the Sydney Rugby Union, the radio station reported.
Eyewitness Account
An eyewitness named Kylie described the scene: 'Two players going at it in back play. The game had moved further down the field and the mum ran on saying, "Get off my son!"' She told 2GB's Ben Fordham that all the Warringah players on the sideline started laughing because it happened right in front of their bench, and as she walked off, she gave them a spray.
'It was pretty embarrassing ... they're adults, it's not the under-10s. It's embarrassing for him [the son] and her, and it's embarrassing for the club,' Kylie added. 'If it was a dad running on, it would be a whole different conversation, no one would think it was cute.' She noted that the mother took her seat and refused to leave the sideline, and also refused to give her name to officials.
Support from Rugby Legend
World Cup-winning former Wallabies captain Nick Farr-Jones backed the woman, praising her for standing up for her son. 'I love passionate and protective mothers, so good on her,' Farr-Jones said. 'It would have been spontaneous, no doubt, there wouldn't have been a lot of premeditation. She [the mum] is in a spot of bother but just give her a speeding fine, one demerit point. If my wife Angie jumped onto the field to protect one of my sons, good on her, have a go.'
