Rugby "Riot" in Wanchai?

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  1. #1

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    Rugby "Riot" in Wanchai?

    Whats the deal with the fights that broke out in Wanchai earlier this morning. Was hoping to catch some of the action on the news... but they figured that a story about a professional letter writer was more important than a bunch of drunken gwailos beating each other up.

    Anyone witness it?


  2. #2

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    Just your usual Rugby 7's alcohol fueled madness, Wanchai is always crazy after the 7's that why I didnt even bother going out.


  3. #3

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    50-man brawl on eve of Hong Kong Sevens

    At least 50 people including rugby players were involved in a vicious street brawl on the eve of the Hong Kong Sevens, a report said on Saturday, casting a shadow over the city's biggest annual party.

    Police used riot shields, batons and pepper spray to subdue running battles through the sleazy Wanchai area in the early hours of Friday, the South China Morning Post said.

    Former Fiji Sevens player Paula Maisiri, who had been taking part in a 10-a-side tournament, was reportedly fined 500 dollars (65 US) for assaulting a police officer.

    "The fighting exploded like it would on a rugby pitch. There were so many people watching. I've never seen anything like it," an eye witness was quoted as saying.

    "There were police with shields and batons and blood everywhere," another said.

    Despite widespread heavy drinking and rowdy behaviour, serious violence is unusual at the Hong Kong Sevens which attracts thousands of fans from all over the world and a large number of expatriate residents.

    In 2005, a British barman had fingers and part of his right hand cut off in an attack outside the Sevens by Triad gangsters wielding meat cleavers and wearing surgical masks, who mistook him for somebody else.

    The latest incident will be unwelcome for many bar and restaurant owners who have already been hit by the city's recession and are looking forward to one of their busiest weekends.


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    A former Fijian Sevens rugby player has been convicted of assaulting a police officer after a vicious rolling brawl through the streets of Wan Chai early yesterday.

    People who witnessed the fighting between at least 50 players in various team colours, nightclub security staff and other revellers told the South China Morning Post (SEHK: 0583, announcements, news) it ended only after police used shields, batons and pepper spray to subdue the players.

    Paula Maisiri, 32, who was playing for the Playmore Phantoms in the annual GFI Hong Kong Football Club Tens tournament, pleaded guilty in Eastern Court to assaulting an officer outside the Dusk til Dawn bar at about 5am.

    Maisiri, of Palmerston North, New Zealand, a professional rugby player, was fined HK$500.

    People in Wan Chai early yesterday said Maisiri was one of the key figures in the melee, which lasted for an hour before eventually being brought under control by officers outside Dusk til Dawn, on Jaffe Road.

    Police are still investigating the incident and have called on witnesses to come forward.

    The brawl was sparked by an earlier incident in Carnegie's bar in which, according to police, one man attacked a player with a glass for no apparent reason. The victim was taken to hospital.

    Fighting flared again outside the Amazonia bar, on the corner of Luard and Jaffe roads, before 5am when security staff refused to allow players to enter. Dozens of men then chased another man down Jaffe Road, followed by security staff and police. More players followed and the fight quickly escalated. Police using riot shields attempted to break it up but were met with a flurry of fists.

    Maisiri was in the centre of things and continued to fight his way from one side of the road to the other, even after police sprayed him (and a number of onlookers) with pepper spray.

    Order was eventually restored and a large group were detained behind a police cordon by officers in riot gear.

    Bianca Vowell, who plays rugby for Valley, said she had never seen such an outbreak of trouble in Hong Kong. She has been in the city since 1982. "There were police with shields and batons and blood everywhere," she said.

    Another woman, who plays rugby for Kowloon, said there were players running everywhere.

    "They were running everywhere through the streets," she said. "They were like a herd. The fighting exploded like it would on a rugby field. There were so many people watching. I've never seen anything like it."
    $500 fine for assaulting a police officer? Don't quite know what to make of that.

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    any chairs involved?


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    Quote Originally Posted by Sunfire:
    $500 fine for assaulting a police officer? Don't quite know what to make of that.
    That's a bargain compared to what they had spent on hoes and booze..

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    Quote Originally Posted by Skyhook:
    "There were police with shields and batons and blood everywhere," another said.
    They havent used them in ages in Wan Chai, usually they do have them ready for Nepalese Dance parties.

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    Or Korean farmers.


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    Quote Originally Posted by discobay:
    Or Korean farmers.
    I remember walking in Wan Chai with a bunch of friends and walking past a police van, being slightly pissed started shouting down down WTO just for laughs, suddenly the vans doors open and a bunch of police jump out, we just looked at them and continued to our next bar. Phew was that close.

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by Skyhook:
    The latest incident will be unwelcome for many bar and restaurant owners who have already been hit by the city's recession and are looking forward to one of their busiest weekends.
    I'd say that bar and restaurant owners weren't terribly worried...I was there on Saturday night, and the drunks were out in force.

    The police were very patient with the party-people! I was sitting in Pacific Coffee with my g/f as we watched the street scene; some of those drunks were almost begging to be cited, but the police seemed to keep a hands-off but visible approach.