Ex-All Blacks star apologises for groping teen

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FEELING THE HEAT: Ex-All Black Robin Brooke is now facing a $200,000 lawsuit.

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Ex-All Black Robin Brooke issues public apology

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Former All Black Robin Brooke says he is sorry for groping a 15-year-old girl in Fiji.

He had too much to drink and did not remember the New Year's Day incident, but accepted the girl's version of events, Brooke told TV1's Close Up programme last night.

In a press statement issued a short time later, Brooke said he met the girl and her family last week and they had accepted his personal apology.

He said he agreed to alcohol counselling, a $3000 donation to charity, reimbursement of her airfare and payment of legal fees.

The former rugby star had been accused of harassing the teen at Denarau Resort in Fiji, and assaulting her 17-year-old friend when he tried to intervene.

He told Close Up he was on his own and walking toward a taxi when the incident happened early on New Year's Day.

"It was 3am ... I had had too much to drink."

He did not recall the events but was told five days later by a security guard. "Within 20 minutes of finding out, I was on the phone to the Whittakers [the family of the girl's 17-year-old Australian friend]; I set up a meeting with them. I rang the guardian of the young lady concerned."

He understood the angry reaction of the girl's parents because he had two daughters of his own.

Before the incident, Brooke said he did not think that he had a problem with alcohol, but counselling would help him find out whether he did. "I welcome that opportunity to find out."

His wife and family were disappointed with his actions, he said.

He appeared on the television programme because he needed to "put something right". "There are no winners in this whole situation and I am truly sorry it ever happened ... I've let myself down."

Brooke said a photo published in a Sunday newspaper, showing him in lingerie with tampons dangling from his ears, was taken six hours earlier at a separate location, after he lost a swimming bet.

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