Streaker Wati Holmwood pleads guilty to wilful and obscene exposure during State of Origin III at ANZ Stadium
AMY DALE
The Daily Telegraph
August 06, 2013 3:15PM
Origin streaker Wati Holmwood is mobbed by the media outside the Burwood courthouse despite his beard, cap and dark glasses. Picture: John Grainger
ORIGIN streaker Wati Holmwood has today confirmed in court what 84,000 witnessed for themselves - he was the naked on-field intruder.
A chastened Holmwood pleaded guilty in Burwood Local Court to charges of wilful and obscene exposure and entering a playing field without authorisation during the deciding State of Origin match on July 17.
Showing once again his aptitude for dodging defences, Holmwood almost got the whole way into the court building this morning before being noticed.
He has grown a beard since his Origin escapade but, even combined with dark glasses and a cap, he couldn't keep his identity hidden and was pulled up short of the "tryline".
Origin streaker Wati Holmwood leaves Burwood Court / Pic: John Grainger
Wati Holmwood shows security a clean pair of “heels” during Origin III at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Brett Costello
Holmwood sprinted past ANZ Stadium security guards, naked but for a pair of joggers, before being caught metres from the NSW tryline as Queensland attacked.
The court heard the "psychological aspects of his offending" will need to be confirmed before his sentence.
Holmwood apologised for his actions the following day, and has since been banned from NRL matches.
semi-final game
Wati made his first “appearance” during an NRL semi between Wests Tigers and the New Zealand Warriors in 2011. Picture: Gregg Porteous
It was the second time that Holmwood has stormed a rugby league field. He also interrupted a semi-final between Wests Tigers and The New Zealand Warriors in 2011 at the SFS.
Holmwood will be sentenced on August 29.
