Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Sevens security to be reviewed

Updated at 6:22 pm on 6 February 2012

The organisation behind the Wellington Rugby Sevens Tournament says it is reviewing its security measures after a man ran on to the pitch and attacked a Samoan player on Friday.

A man has been arrested and charged with assault, and security personnel numbers were doubled to 50 for the second day of the competition on Saturday.

General manager of the New Zealand International Sevens Steve Walters says an additional eight guards - specifically trained to deal with streakers - were also brought in.

He says any pitch invasion is a huge disappointment and the organisation team will now look at ways to improve security for the entire tournament, including boosting numbers from the first day.

Mr Walters says under Rugby World Cup rules, pitch invaders can be fined up to $5,000 and could face three months in prison and he'd like to seem similar penalties in place for the Sevens tournament.

"Obviously they have a whole criminal record that will affect employment and travel but we think a harsher financial penalty wold be an incentive for people not to go on there."

he'd also like tough penalties, similar to those in place for the Rugby World Cup, introduced at the Sevens tournament to deter people from invading the pitch.

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