NZRU hearing over team's airplane antics

South Canterbury Rugby Football Union will appear before a NZRU disciplinary hearing following allegations of poor behaviour on a charter flight involving a 'pick up line' directed at an airline attendant by a team member.

The allegations relate to the team's behaviour on an October 5 charter flight from Gisborne to Wellington, where the team was refused permission to board their connecting flight to Christchurch.

Representatives from the SCRFU will appear before judicial officer Bruce Squire QC at the NZRU (New Zealand Rugby Union) offices in Wellington this week.

The team were apparently booted off an Air New Zealand flight at the weekend for being rude to an attendant.

The team were flying home from Gisborne after beating East Coast at Ruatoria when the attendant took exception to a player's comment and complained to the pilot.

The team were then offloaded at Wellington and rescheduled to a later flight to Christchurch.

South Canterbury coach Ken Wills said the attendant had overreacted to a single comment.

"One of the guys was trying to use a pick-up line and exchange text numbers."

The team had apologised, he said.

- NZPA