All Black Lauaki admits bar assault

Sione Lauaki arriving at Hamilton District Court today. Photo / NZPA

All Black Sione Lauaki has admitted assaulting a man at a Hamilton bar earlier this month.

In Hamilton District Court this morning, Lauaki, 28, entered a guilty plea and was remanded for sentencing on May 6.

He is to undertake an alcohol management course.

He appeared in court accompanied by All Blacks Mils Muliaina, Liam Messam, Richard Kahui and Brendon Leonard.

Outside court he made a brief statement.

"I entered a guilty plea today. I'm really disappointed about what happened. I'm just moving on," he said.

"I want to better myself. I'm just really disappointed I let my family down and my team-mates."

Chiefs CEO Gary Dawson reiterated that an internal disciplinary process would take place once the court process had been completed.

"Sione is available for selection in the Chiefs team while we await the process," he said.

The incident occurred early on the morning of March 5 while Lauaki was serving a two-week ban for his Chiefs side for a dangerous tackle in a Super 14 match against the Lions in February.

Lauaki was drinking with a group of friends and punched a man twice after he thought the man had taken his drink.

An eyewitness described the incident at the Coyote Street Bar and Restaurant as a "minor" fracas.

Last year, Lauaki attended an anger management course after appearing in court on a charge of wilful damage following an incident at an Auckland motel on New Year's Day, where windows and a television were damaged.

In 2006, he was offered police diversion after assaulting a doorman.