Cup celebration sours as former AB faces charges

A former All Black has been charged with assaulting his partner while out celebrating New Zealand's Rugby World Cup win.

The 45-year-old, who has been granted interim name suppression, was arrested in central Wellington early on October 24, held in police cells and taken to court that morning.

It is understood he was out celebrating the All Blacks' win over France the previous night.

He was charged with assaulting his partner, resisting police, possession of cannabis and possession of a pipe for smoking cannabis. The assault charge carries the highest penalty, with a maximum of two years' jail.

A fresh charge of assault was laid in Wellington District Court yesterday. He has not yet entered any pleas.

Judge Bruce Davidson had been given information about the former rugby player's medical status, which led him to grant the man name suppression until his next court appearance in three weeks.

His former position as an All Black was not raised in open court.

His lawyer, Letizea Ord, said that he intended to ask for diversion.

Police rarely grant diversion for family violence offences. Authorisation is needed from a district prosecution manager before diversion can be offered. The views of the victim are sought and a police family violence co-ordinator is asked for input.

To get diversion, the man would need to accept responsibility for the offending.

The court appearance comes after a New Zealand Rugby Players Association survey found many former players, including All Blacks, wrestle with alcohol and substance abuse, and relationship problems after they quit the game.

Women's Refuge chief executive Heather Henare said the charges against the former All Black, combined with Zac Guildford's behaviour in Rarotonga, tarnished what had been a "successful" World Cup in terms of domestic violence statistics.

"They have a responsibility to behave appropriately."

She said it was disappointing the man was able to hide behind suppression laws.

"[Why can't they] take responsibility for their behaviour and come out publicly and say, `I did this and it was wrong?"'

Numerous current and former All Blacks have been accused or convicted of assault in recent years, often after drinking.

Last year former lock Robin Brooke publicly apologised after groping a teenager while on holiday in Fiji. In 2007 wing Sitiveni Sivivatu was discharged without conviction after he admitted slapping his wife twice.

From March 5 next year, celebrities will find it harder to get name suppression.

The Criminal Procedure (Reform and Modernisation) Bill was passed last month and includes a tightening of criteria for name suppression and harsher penalties for breaching suppression orders.

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