New Zealand rugby league player Junior Sa'u has been praised for leaping into the stands to confront angry fans and help family and a fellow player as a British Super League game ended in chaos.

The incident occurred at the John Smith's Stadium, home of the Huddersfield Giants who were hosting the Salford Red Devils.

Salford won 26-24 and reports in Britain said after the final whistle a Salford fan ran on to the pitch as his team came over to thank their supporters. As the pitch invader was led away by security, other Salford fans surged to the front of the stand causing a dangerous crush involving women and children.

SW Pix/www.photosport.nz Salford centre Junior Sa'u wades into the crowd with Justin Carney to protect their families at John Smith's Stadium, in Huddersfield.

The Sun newspaper reported that Salford players Sa'u and Justin Carney "rushed into the stand to help their loved ones", as ground stewards opened overflow gates at the bottom of the stand to allow children to escape.

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The Mirror newspaper said fans were "crying for help".

Chaos.



Incredible scenes at Huddersfield as Salford players clash with their own fans.https://t.co/W40DIODBBu pic.twitter.com/E0sA6BeyCX — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 28, 2016

Salford fan Lesley Kaneen, attending the game with her elderly father, told the Daily Mail how the players had rushed to the aid of their families.

Fairfax NZ Junior Sa'u was forced to help Salford fans caught in aftermatch trouble against Huddersfield.

"There were young children crying their eyes out, frightened to death - it was just horrible," she said.

"The wife of Junior Sa'u was in the crowd clutching her young baby to her chest and you've got these idiots behind stupid and pushing and shoving.

"They were a bunch of mindless idiots in the crowd who have nothing at all to do with Salford and they were out to cause trouble from the start,' she said.

"It's a tradition for the players to come over to the fans at the end of the game after they've won and to the credit of the families of the players, they actually sit with all the fans. But they were being pushed and shoved by these thugs and the players, rightly in my mind, jumped in to defend them."

Another witness told the Daily Mail: "Justin Carney came in to the crowd to pick up his child as they (some fans) were being idiots around wives and girlfriends and (Carney) ended up getting attacked by a Salford 'fan'. Then the rest of the players came in to protect Justin Carney and ended up in a scrap too. Junior Sau had to restrain the fan that was attacking the players."

No supporters are believed to have been injured. A steward was injured and treated by St John Ambulance staff at the ground.

Sa'u is a 10-capped Kiwis player from 2009-10 who also has two tests for Samoa. He has been playing for Salford since 2014 after moving from the NRL where he played for Newcastle and Melbourne.

Sa'u has proven a fan favourite at Salford, being voted supporters' player of the year in his first season.

Salford coach Ian Wilson lamented the after match chaos.

"They should be made accountable. This is a family game. They are not the type of fans we want," Wilson said.

The club released a statement quickly after the match, promising swift action.

"Salford Red Devils have begun an investigation into the events that occurred at the conclusion of the 24-26 win at Huddersfield Giants on Easter Monday."

Owner Marwan Koukash said: "I want to apologise to the Huddersfield Giants and to all the decent fans at the game today. We will work closely with the Giants and the RFL in our investigation and this minority of thugs responsible will be identified and dealt with by the club in the coming days. There is no place in Rugby League for them."

"The Red Devils urge any supporter with information they would like to share to do so by contacting the club during office hours either in person, telephone or email."

Koukash condemned the trouble in a personal tweet.

My apologies to @Giantsrl and to the decent fans.The Thugs responsible will be identified and dealt with. There is no place in RL for them. — Marwan Koukash (@drmarwanK) March 28, 2016

And the club used their official Twitter account to apologise.