0
RICHARD KNOWLER
Fairfax NZ News
Last updated 05:00 17/04/2013
The Crusaders appear to have been sawn-off by their own supporters in Perth.
It has been alleged that several, if not all, of the five men who participated in last weekend's pitch invasion may have been New Zealanders now living there.
One, whose body was painted in the red and black colours of the Crusaders' home strip, grabbed the ball. Two others were dressed in costumes - one as a banana - and another in his underpants.
Police say they cannot confirm the men's nationalities for legal reasons but several people who attended have alleged the perpetrators were Kiwis. The invaders' actions, which took place in the dying minutes of the 16-14 loss to the Western Force, could yet cost the Crusaders a chance of winning their eighth Super Rugby title.
In possession and eyeing a big overlap, the Crusaders were preparing to launch a long-range attack when play was stopped. Crusaders midfielder Ryan Crotty, who tackled the man in the banana suit, thought ''security needed a bit of a hand''.
"It was pretty frustrating. I think the first guy came on when Tom Marshall was going through a bit of a gap on counter-attack and with the pace that man has he was going good to score a try,'' Crotty said.
''For that to happen, then, was pretty bad timing for us.''
The men face bans from the venue of between one to five years. After the match the stadium's chief executive Peter Bauchop noted the men came from a section ''that was not the Force membership area''.
Earlier a streaker, aged 25, also ran across the field. He has been charged with trespass will appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on Anzac Day. Two men in costumes, both 22, have been summoned to appear next month to face charges of trespass. It is believed around 15 other people were also preparing to join the pitch invasion but got cold feet because security was increased near them.
Ninety-two security staff were on duty for the crowd of 16,758. Crusaders boss Hamish Riach has laid complaint with Sanzar stating the invasions were ''disgraceful and unacceptable''.
Crusaders scrum coach Dave Hewett said he was tempted to let security staff catch the offenders but decided to assist.
''I need to get a lower body if I make a tackle. It has to be a offensive tackle, rather than defensive,'' an amused Hewett said in reference to his ''hit''.
''We had one (invader) come out just around halftime and it was a bit lighthearted and that was alright. But we didn't need the others coming out, particularly at that time of the game when we were chasing it.
''I must admit I should have let them run past but I let something get the better of me. At least I didn't get bumped-off.''