Sober streaker escapes charge

A young woman who streaked during the All Blacks game in Napier has her sober state and polite manner to thank for escaping charges.

The woman who ran naked onto the field during the weekend's All Blacks game in Napier has sidestepped a charge because she was sober and cooperative.

Rose Kupa, 25, was arrested at McLean Park after she streaked across the field late in the match against Argentina, which was won 28-9 by the All Blacks.

The streaker was given a pre-charge warning for disorderly behaviour and banned from McLean Park for two years.

Inspector Tania Kura said Ms Kupa met the criteria for a pre-charge warning, which considers the severity of the offence.

"In this instance it was decided to issue Ms Kupa with a pre-charge warning due to the lower level of her offending, her attitude when arrested and the fact that she was sober," he said in a statement on Monday.

Ms Kupa's associate, who helped her get on the field on Saturday night, also got a pre-charge warning for being a party to disorderly behaviour and hit with the same ban.

Insp Kura said there was no standard charging process for streaking.

"We can't comment on previous instances of streakers being charged, as all of the circumstances would have been different."

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said his problem was not so much the streakers, but the fact they can easily access the field.

"It's not that big a deal is it?" the coach said on Sunday.

"She entertained everybody there for about 35 seconds. My beef is how they get on (to the field). I think we've got to have a better plan with how we stop them getting on and we probably don't have to smash them over either when we finally catch up with them," he said.

"Just leave 'em on and let 'em off - see you later."


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