Northland Events Centre affords spectators a close view of the action and given the family-orientated nature of the match, with scores of young children in the crowd, the incident briefly overshadowed the contest, in which the Black Ferns hammered Wales 55-3.Įngland 2014 World Cup winner Rachael Burford, who was watching the match from the stands when the streaker invaded, voiced her disgust at the incident, which would have been witnessed by many young girls. Streaking incidents in women’s rugby, and women’s sporting events in general, are extremely rare. “It is disappointing that, despite efforts to ensure Rugby World Cup 2021 provides a family-friendly and inclusive match-day experience, the actions of an individual has drawn attention away from the incredible display of women’s rugby we witnessed during yesterday’s quarter-finals.” “Team and fan experience is our top priority and we will be redoubling our efforts following yesterday’s incident and security staff have already been briefed to remain extra vigilant at upcoming match days. Fortunately, vigilant security staff were able to apprehend the pitch invader promptly and escort them from the field without delay. In a statement, NZR said: “Precautions were taken to prevent security breaches, however in this rare instance we were unable to stop a pitch invader from accessing the field. Despite insisting “rigorous” measures were in place to ensure fan and player safety, the union stressed that security staff would remain on high alert during the semi-finals on Saturday at Eden Park and at the final on November 12. NZR is responsible for all matchday security as the local organising committee for the World Cup. The male intruder ran onto the pitch in the 65th minute at Northland Events Centre in Whangarei before being apprehended by security officials and escorted out of the stadium. New Zealand Rugby has vowed to tighten security measures for the remainder of the women’s World Cup after a naked streaker gatecrashed the Black Ferns’ quarter-final victory over Wales.
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