Pitch invader hospitalised during Chiefs & Blues match at Eden Park

By Bonnie Jansen & Christopher Reive

A pitch invader was hospitalised after interrupting play during the Chiefs’ 25-14 win over the Blues on Saturday at Eden Park.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson told the Herald: “[We] assessed and treated one patient on Reimers Ave on Saturday night at 9.01pm who was transported to Auckland Hospital in a moderate condition.”

In a video shared on social media, one streaker appeared to have suffered a leg injury after failing to reach the field of play.

Several spectators jumped the stands on to the Eden Park turf in the second half of the Super Rugby Pacific round one match.

Play was brought to a halt in the 70th minute when one naked invader made their way to the Chiefs' backline. The man eventually threw his hands up and was taken down by security.

The referee was forced to stop play so the invader could be stopped and escorted from the pitch.

In a statement to the Herald, Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner said pitch invaders at the ground would be immediately removed from the venue and issued with a trespass notice.

“We take the safety of everyone who attends an event at Eden Park, including the players, extremely seriously. Because we don’t know what the person’s intention is when they unlawfully enter the field during a match, it is Eden Park’s policy to stop the person as soon as is practicable and reduce the risk to the players.”

The Herald revealed New Zealand sports stadium chief executives and major sports organisations wrote to the Government in 2023 calling for harsher penalties for pitch invaders.

It came after the Warriors hosted the Brisbane Broncos in Napier and more than 20 spectators attempted or successfully dashed on to McLean Park.

The letter asked for a lifetime ban from all stadiums across New Zealand and an increase in fines.

Under the current Major Events Management Act, fines of up to $5000 or three months’ imprisonment can be imposed for pitch invasion at a major sporting event.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission