All Black escapes charge over punch-up outside bar

Sione Lauaki

All Black and Waikato rugby strong man Sione Lauaki has escaped a charge of assault after punching Auckland reserve player Roimata Hansell-Pune on the nose outside a city bar 10 days ago.

There are differing accounts of what led to the blow, which drew blood but did not break any bones. It is the second reported violent incident Lauaki has been involved in this year.

However, his manager Bruce Sharrock yesterday played down the incident and said Lauaki, 25, was being "victimised" by the media.

"To use the word 'fight' is over-playing the term. It was an argument where one of them lashed out, apologies were given, and that was the end of it. Someone has obviously seen it and passed on the names," Mr Sharrock said.

Police were not involved and charges had not been laid, Mr Sharrock said.

"It probably occurs 100 times a weekend among men of a like age."

He said verbal exchanges had escalated on the night between the two men and the punch was thrown as a result of increased "antagonism".

However, Hanson-Pune's father Toe said the punch came "out of the blue" and was totally unprovoked. "I did ask my son about that and when we sat down and thought about it he said it was probably because he was talking too much."

He claimed Roimata, 19, had said nothing personal to Lauaki that would have upset him.

Lauaki had called to personally apologise on Monday last week and the family were happy to let the rugby unions, rather than the police, deal with the matter.

Mr Hansell-Pune said he trusted the Waikato union would take steps to help Lauaki deal with his temper "for the sake of his future".

Auckland Rugby Union chief executive Andy Dalton said: "The Auckland manager repeated last weekend to the team their responsibilities when they go out. Rightly or wrongly people watch them, and take the opportunity to push the boundaries. It is important they behave appropriately, which I might add Roimata did on this occasion."

Waikato Rugby Union chief executive Gary Dawson declined to say what disciplinary action had been imposed, but Lauaki took the field last weekend against Wellington so it appears a match suspension was not part of it.

"Obviously something like this is something we don't want, and we're very disappointed and concerned," Mr Dawson said. "He's apologised to the player and knows what he has done has let us down."

In January, Lauaki hit the headlines when police pressed assault charges against him for an early morning incident in Hamilton. After viewing security footage of Lauaki's fracas with a 26-year-old man, police offered the rugby star diversion. He was later discharged without conviction.