Actor in All Black advert facing assault charges

A man who appears opposite Richie McCaw in an All Black advertising campaign is awaiting trial for allegedly beating up his former girlfriend.

Samuel Charles Vernon, a Welshman living in Auckland, plays a caber tosser in a commercial for the MasterCard All Black Roadshow, which began a nationwide tour last month.

MasterCard and the talent agency that hired him said they had no knowledge of the charges against the 31-year-old.

Vernon - an IT specialist - is due to appear in the Auckland District Court tomorrow on five charges of assaulting his former girlfriend in 2008 and 2009. It is understood he will defend the charges.

In its third year, the roadshow consists of community events in small towns, where local fans can take on current and former rugby heroes.

Events include caber tossing, wood sawing, gumboot throwing, coal shovelling, waiter racing and curling.

The roadshow has already visited Tokoroa and Taihape and on Sunday will visit Waipu for caber tossing, followed by Reefton, Akaroa and Naseby.

Vernon is not involved with the roadshow.

The 30-second commercial begins with McCaw taping his wrists, tying his laces, stretching and pouring water over his face.

Then, to a soundtrack of up-beat music, he is seen walking with one gumboot on and the other in his hand.

He joins teammates Mils Muliaina, holding wine glasses on a serving tray, Tony Woodcock holding a caber, Joe Rokocoko holding a curling broom, Conrad Smith holding a shovel and Keven Mealamu holding a saw.

The camera then pans to six civilians standing opposite the rugby players holding the same equipment.

Vernon - who came to New Zealand in 2004 - takes centre stage, dressed in a kilt and holding a caber.

The Waitakere Agency provided the actors for Sydney-based advertising agency McCann Erickson, which was contracted by MasterCard.

Talent manager Tracey Jackson said last night the company did not know Vernon was facing charges.

"This agency is a very professional agency and we of course had no knowledge of this situation. It's just very unfortunate all round."

MasterCard spokesman David Masters said all actors were asked a series of questions including: "Do you have any criminal convictions?" to which Vernon answered no.

"We were, therefore, unaware of any charges against him."