Protestors succeed in preventing the first match
Prior to the test match in Hamilton, the police believed that they were prepared for what was to come, with the Minister of Police, Ben Couch saying, "The demonstrators will rapidly run out of steam", challenging the protest movement. However what he did not account was the rugby fans which would ensue violence upon the protestors. The Minister of Police had made a bold statement, one in which he believed was true, but the protestors would challenge his statement.
At rugby park stadium in Hamilton on the 25 July 1981, approximately 350 protestors invaded the pitch after pulling a fence down. They then stood in the middle of the grounds whilst linking arms and chanting "The World is Watching". Another group of protestors were marching outside the stadium. Police quickly made over 50 arrest within the hour, however they feared that they could not control the rugby fans whom were throwing bottles and other objects at the protestors. The protestors were heavily encouraged to remove any insignia linking them to the anti-tour movement as they feared that the rugby fans would lash out at them. This did happen as there were groups of rugby fans waiting outside the police station for the protestors to be discharged, and once they left the care of the police, they were assaulted whilst making their way onto Victoria Street.
However it was the threat of an attack from above by pilot Pat McQuarrie which resulted in the Hamilton test game being cancelled. This further angered the rugby fans, resulting in violent attacks being made on the group. This led to a serious attack on an ambulance carrying injured protestors in attempts to get them to the hospital.
At rugby park stadium in Hamilton on the 25 July 1981, approximately 350 protestors invaded the pitch after pulling a fence down. They then stood in the middle of the grounds whilst linking arms and chanting "The World is Watching". Another group of protestors were marching outside the stadium. Police quickly made over 50 arrest within the hour, however they feared that they could not control the rugby fans whom were throwing bottles and other objects at the protestors. The protestors were heavily encouraged to remove any insignia linking them to the anti-tour movement as they feared that the rugby fans would lash out at them. This did happen as there were groups of rugby fans waiting outside the police station for the protestors to be discharged, and once they left the care of the police, they were assaulted whilst making their way onto Victoria Street.
However it was the threat of an attack from above by pilot Pat McQuarrie which resulted in the Hamilton test game being cancelled. This further angered the rugby fans, resulting in violent attacks being made on the group. This led to a serious attack on an ambulance carrying injured protestors in attempts to get them to the hospital.