Blues star Tevita Li's drink driving case delayed again

Blues star Tevita Li scores against the Crusaders. Photo / Richard Robinson

Blues rugby star Tevita Li has not yet sidestepped a conviction for drink driving.

In Manukau District Court in July, New Zealand under-20 and Blues wing Li, 19, pleaded guilty to driving with a blood-alcohol reading of 45mg.

The legal limit for under 20s is zero, while the adult limit is 80mg.

Li's lawyer Richard Earwaker has applied for a discharge without conviction, but the hearing was adjourned for the second time at Manukau District Court today.

Mr Earwaker provided the court with evidence his client had completed alcohol-related counselling but Judge Anna-Marie Skellern said that was not enough.

"That's a good start but not quite what I'm talking about," she said.

"I have a dual responsibility and one of those is to the community and their safety."

The judge said before considering a discharge without conviction, she wanted Li to complete The Right Track programme.

The course, which covers 42 hours over four weeks, is usually attended by young recidivist drink drivers to bring home the seriousness of their offending.

Li will only be back before the court once he has completed the course.

The teen rugby starlet is hoping to dodge a conviction so a career in the police would be open to him.

His lawyer said it was an ambition sparked by seeing his brother in the force.

The court previously heard how Li had been stopped by police while driving on May 11.

His lawyer said he had spent the night at a friend's house after drinking.

Li rose to prominence at 16 while playing for his Massey High School and after just one match for the Massey Club, the young wing was offered a full-time contract with Super 15 champions the Chiefs.

But he opted for his home-town team and made his Blues debut against France last year before impressing for the national under-20 team at this year's Junior World Cup.