Sione Lauaki in another brush with law

Chiefs and former All Black number 8 Sione Lauaki is in trouble again after another late night incident in a Hamilton bar.

Chiefs CEO Garry Dawson today released a statement acknowledging Lauaki had been involved in an incident, which is understood to have happened at Coyotes Bar and Restaurant about 2am today.

Hamilton police have confirmed they are investigating a complaint regarding a 28-year-old man in a central city bar. The man voluntarily returned to Hamilton Central Police Station to answer questions and inquiries were continuing.

A Waikato police spokesman said the man was not arrested or put into the cells.

"The inquiry is very much in its early stages."

Mr Dawson said in his statement: ''We are aware of an incident involving Sione Lauaki. We are currently awaiting for the Hamilton Police to decide on what action, if any, they will take on this. Until we have further details from the police, we cannot make further comment."

Lauaki, currently suspended from the Super 14 for a fortnight, has previously been involved in two major off-field incidents involving the law.

In February, 2006, he was offered police diversion after admitting assaulting a Hamilton security officer, and early last year he was again before the courts charged with trashing property at an Auckland motel after a late-night incident also involving a female companion.

Lauaki is in his seventh season with the Chiefs and is currently serving the last week of a Sanzar-imposed two-week suspension from the Super 14 for lifting Lions centre Deon van Rensburg in a tackle during the team's match in South Africa last month.

He was named interim Chiefs captain at the start of the season in the absence of regular skipper Mils Muliaina.

He has played 17 tests for the All Blacks, but has fallen out of favour with Graham Henry and not been required since his last international appearance in September 2008.

He has publicly admitted that his All Black career is over but has resisted offers to play in Japan in favour of one more season with the Chiefs and Waikato.

- © Fairfax NZ News