A serial prankster who infiltrated the Australian rugby league team's pre-match anthem at the Ashes Test in Liverpool has been arrested and charged. Daniel Jarvis, 37, from Gravesend, Kent, slipped onto the pitch at Hill Dickinson Stadium and linked arms with Kangaroos star Cameron Munster as Advance Australia Fair played.
Munster initially believed Jarvis had a legitimate reason to join the team. 'Some guy tried to get in between me and him [Pat Carrigan] and I said, “Nah”. Then he asked me again, “Can I stand next to you and hold you?” I said, “Righto mate. Do what you need to do”,' Munster recalled. He later recognised Jarvis, known online as 'Jarvo', and described the prank as 'an absolute ripper'.
Security removed Jarvis shortly after the anthem. Merseyside police confirmed he was detained at around 2.30pm and arrested on suspicion of possession of articles for use in fraud and fraud by false representation. He was subsequently charged with disrupting a person engaged in a lawful activity and remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Monday.
Jarvis has a history of similar stunts, including at the Paris Olympics, a Test cricket match at The Oval, and an England football game. The incident did not distract Munster, who scored a try in Australia's 14-4 win over England, securing the Ashes series victory.
