Protest in Hamilton
The first Saturday match held in Hamilton was a target for mass protest against the tour. 2000 anti-tour protestors marched onto the ground using wire cutters and brute strength. 350 protestors made it onto the ground through a 2.5 metre high wire mesh fence. They linked arms in the middle of the field and threw tacks and glass on the ground. Police also soon learned that a light aircraft had been taken from Taupo airport by a protestor who allegedly was going to attempt to crash land at Rugby Park. The commissioner of police decided to call off the match. The crowd of rugby supporters was angry after the game was called off and went in search of the protestors. Many fights took place around the park as the supporters ‘vented their frustration’ at the protestors.