Bail for World Cup hit and run accused

Sanele Pauli died instantly when he was hit by a car in Pt Chevalier. Photo / Supplied

The man alleged to have been behind the wheel of a car that hit a teenage pedestrian and killed him on the night of the Rugby World Cup final has appeared in court.

Sivo Kerr is charged with causing the death of 17-year-old Sanele Pauli while driving drunk and over the speed limit.

According to the police charge sheets, Kerr had a breath alcohol reading of 571mcg. The legal limit is 400mcg.

He is also alleged to have been a disqualified driver who had twice previously been convicted for driving while disqualified.

The 38-year-old appeared briefly before a registrar at the Auckland District Court today where he was remanded on bail.

He is due to reappear next month.

Sanele was with his two brothers celebrating the All Blacks' one point victory over France when the crash happened in October last year on Auckland's busy Great North Road.

The teenager had just stepped off a bus in Pt Chevalier after travelling from the Viaduct Harbour downtown.

Sanele was just weeks away from finishing his High School education at Avondale College.

Soon after the crash, Sanele's uncle - also called Sanele Pauli - told the Herald that the teen flew five metres into the air and died instantly.

"They got off the bus and apparently they were crossing the road and a car just hit him. It only just missed the other brother,'' Mr Pauli said.

"Looking at the car, it was just like he hit a power pole. The car got smashed in the front.''

Mr Pauli said his nephew had been reluctant to go out on Sunday night. He had wanted to stay home and watch the cup final on TV.

But when his younger brothers decided to go into the city for the night, he felt he should go too to look after them.