Rugby players trespassed from Dunedin hotel after trying to set beer crates on fire

Members of a Dunedin rugby club, unhappy about being ejected from a Waikouaiti establishment, tried to set beer crates on fire in the parking lot, police say.

Police were called to the Golden Fleece Hotel in Waikouaiti about 11.50pm on Saturday following reports that customers had lit a fire in the parking lot, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said.

It was unclear whether the rugby players were able to set the beer crates on fire, as no damage to the property was reported.

However, when police caught up with the team they were trespassed from the business.

"They were a travelling rugby club," Snr Sgt Bond said.

"So they were coming back from a game somewhere.

"They jumped in a car and headed back to Dunedin, we stopped them and identified them all.