Chiefs captain Sione Lauaki charged with assault

Last updated 14:43 10/03/2010

PETER MEECHAM/Stuff.co.nz

CHARGED: Chiefs captain Sione Lauaki has been charged with assault.

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LATEST: Former All Black Sione Lauaki has been charged with assault following an incident in a Hamilton bar last Friday.

His Super 14 franchise confirmed a charge had been laid.

The Chiefs this afternoon released a short statement that read: ''In regards to Sione Lauaki, the outcome of last week’s incident investigated by police has resulted in a charge of assault being laid today.

''The Chiefs and Sione will not be making any comment until after this matter has been through the court process. Lauaki will also be taking part in NZRU and Chiefs disciplinary processes.''

Lauaki has been suspended from the Super 14 for the past two weeks because of a dangerous tackle when the Chiefs were playing in South Africa.

The Chiefs play the Crusaders in Hamilton on Friday night but Lauaki won't be involved despite being available.

Chiefs coach Ian Foster said: ''Sione and I have decided that in light of the week that he has had, that the right thing to do is not play him in this game. We will fully support Sione over the next few weeks.''

Foster felt the Chiefs had managed to put aside the distraction of Lauaki’s problems to concentrate on preparing to play the Crusaders.

''It's something that you never want to happen but it's a reality of life that things get chucked at you as a team and we’ve just got to learn how to deal with it.

''I think the team has dealt with it really well. It's been a good process we have gone through.''

Lauaki sat in the Chiefs' dugout last Friday night as they lost to the Queensland Reds, just hours after the alleged 2am incident at the Coyotes Bar and Restaurant in central Hamilton.

Lauaki is in his seventh season with the Chiefs.

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.

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