Team Spirit In Action

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30485, 6 July 1964, Page 1

Team Spirit In Action

IN BRISBANE...

<N.Z. "Press Assn.—Copyright) A violent beer-can battle broke out at Lang Park during the second Rugby League test between France and Australia in Brisbane on Saturday. Cans flew from the top of the concrete terraces as fans stood up, blocking the view, says an Samoan spectators attacked and injured the referee of the SamoanCity Rugby League match, Mr J. D. Fairley, at the Oval, Dunedin, on Saturday. Mr Fairley had just blown the final whistle with Samoan having its first loss of the season, reports the Press Association. The attack was started by a male spectator, who rushed at Mr Fairley and brought him to his knees with blows to the head. He was Joined by a number of women. who moved in with umbrellas

N.Z.PA.-Reuter message. A woman was cut on the forehead as the cans were thrown back. Immediately afterwards some violent brawls broke out. About 10 men were involved in one of them. When a squad of police arrived bystanders showered them with beer, ...AND HERE while another man kicked Mr Fairley in the back. Members of the Samoan team, who had been congratulating City on its 19-16 win, rushed in to break up the melee and were aided by City team members. Mr Fairley had a cut lip and bruised cheek and back. The captain of the Samoan team, L. Lowe, said the game had been very clean and fair. “I cannot understand why Mr Fairley was attacked,” he said.