Origin streaker to face court next month
AAP
Thu 18th July, 8:12am
A streaker who disrupted the closing stages of the State of Origin decider will likely be banned for life from ANZ Stadium when he faces court next month.
The 33-year-old, identified in media reports as Wati Holmwood of Tempe in Sydney, ran almost the length of the field on Wednesday night, tripping just short of the try line two minutes from full time.
His actions handed Queensland another set of six tackles and deprived NSW - trailing 12-10 - of the chance to head down the other end to score.
The man has been charged with wilful and obscene exposure and entering or remaining on a playing field without authorisation.
He has been issued with a court attendance notice to appear in Burwood Local Court on August 6.
Police say he is also expected to be issued with a notice banning him from future events at ANZ Stadium.
"Whether he is banned from future NRL matches would be a matter for the NRL," a police spokesman told AAP.
NRL officials believe he is the same man who ran onto the field when Wests Tigers played the Warriors in an NRL finals game in 2011.
However, police could not confirm this.
ANZ Stadium spokesperson Arthur Stanley said the man had managed to evade security guards on Wednesday night by entering the field in an "unusual spot".
"We're disappointed that it happened but it happens in sport from time to time.
"He came on (at) a very unusual part of the field, so he got through the first line of security and then it took a little while to stop him."
Holmwood's uncle, Philip Holmwood, has laughed off his nephew's actions, saying he did not act maliciously.
"Everyone likes their beer, everyone likes to have a drink, he's a good boy," Mr Holmwood told Southern Cross radio on Thursday.
Mr Holmwood confirmed that his unemployed nephew had also streaked at a Tigers game in 2011 but said he never found out why.
"He's a quiet boy, he just keeps it to himself.
"He just does things because wants to do them."
ORIGIN STREAKER GETS THREE MONTHS' JAIL
AAP
Updated September 5, 2013, 3:30 pm
The rugby league State of Origin streaker has been sentenced to three months' jail.
New Zealander Wati Holmwood ran onto the field wearing nothing but joggers during the final minutes of the Origin decider in July.
He pleaded guilty to entering a playing field without authorisation and wilful and obscene exposure in a public place.
Magistrate Christopher Longley on Thursday sentenced him to three months' jail for two good behaviour bond breaches.
He's also been fined $2000 for baring all in front of 83,000 spectators who'd turned out to watch the NSW-Queensland clash.
