The Crusaders want answers after an official complaint to SANZAR over the “disgraceful and unacceptable” pitch invasions which occurred during the Super rugby match in Perth on Saturday night.

Five men were taken into custody following the incidents early Sunday morning.

One forced referee Jonathan Kaplan to halt the match at a critical moment as the Crusaders were building an attack with about five minutes remaining as they sought to overhaul the Force’s 16-14 lead.

Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said player safety was the prime reason why a formal complaint was lodged.

Riach was astounded that Crusaders back Ryan Crotty and assistant coach Dave Hewitt, a former All Blacks prop, had to deal with two of the intruders rather than ground security.

He said all the invaders came from a terraced standing area at one end of the ground where security was “completely inadequate and incompetent.”

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder was extremely disappointed by the nature of the game’s closing minutes.

He said they got a turnover and would have counter-attacked and it was about five-on-one.

Meanwhile, this Friday the Hurricanes meet the Force at 7:35pm and at 9:40pm the Reds face the Brumbies.


Story by: Dhanjay Deo