YESTERDAY'S report ('Rugby free-for- all') on the fight between rugby rivals Saint Andrew's Secondary School and Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) was shocking. The incident is deplorable.

Mayhem at the rugby pitch Click on thumbnails below to view. (Photos: ST, Mugilan Rajasegeran, Wanbao, Internet)

The Singapore Rugby Union must work closely with the schools to prevent such scuffles. While rugby is an intensely physical, competitive sport - and in this instance, emotionally charged because of the traditional rivalry and razor-thin scoreline - what happened on Monday was unjustifiable.

Rugby - and sports in general - is also about class, respect and sportsmanship. While there has been speculation that black Monday's match was a volcano waiting to erupt, both schools must apologise and accept responsibility first, pending the outcome of investigations.

While the students may have apparently been the culprits, coaches and parents involved should not be absolved either as they were the adults who were present when the fight erupted.

Kwan Jin Yao

This article was first published in The Straits Times.