By STAFF REPORTERS
All Black wing Tana Umaga will be disciplined after getting so drunk celebrating the victory over the Springboks that he had to be helped back to his hotel.
Team management was forced to act after allegations that Umaga was abusive and looking for a fight.
He was videotaped being led away by minders from Cathedral Square in the Christchurch city centre early yesterday.
After the video screened on TV3 last night, the All Black management accepted that Umaga was drunk, but said he had not been involved in any other incidents.
And in another blot on the All Black victory, it emerged yesterday that a powerful laser was aimed at Springbok goalkicker Braam van Straaten as he attempted a crucial penalty in the second half of Saturday's test.
The kick missed and the All Blacks went on to win, 25-12.
The laser, pointed from the crowd in Jade Stadium, was probably of a type banned two years ago amid fears that someone would be blinded.
The New Zealand Rugby Union is investigating the laser incident, while the All Black management gets ready to confront Umaga.
"It was clear he was heavily intoxicated and we are extremely disappointed," team manager Andrew Martin said last night. "And, I hasten to add, so is Tana.
"It is unacceptable that he was in that condition. I will be speaking to him. There is no point in letting these things linger, but at the same time we want to give him some space and support."
Film of Umaga's intoxication came just days after an interview he gave about the responsibilities of being an All Black.
"We know where we stand in the public eye.
"We're ambassadors for the country when we're overseas and we're ambassadors for the kids when we are at home," he said then. "I suppose some of the guys have had to clean up their living, but that's been a good thing, and it shows discipline."
Mr Martin said a reconstruction of events had been helped by teammate Doug Howlett, who had been with Umaga most of the night, and Canterbury rugby liaison men, who had helped him away.
There was no evidence that Umaga had retaliated physically in any incidents, though he had swapped verbal insults with some bystanders.
But Jason Parker, who videotaped the star winger about 1.30 am yesterday on the "strip" along Oxford Tce, said Umaga was drunk and abusive.
Umaga was in at least three bars after midnight, including the Coyote Street Bar and Restaurant, which he was allegedly thrown out of three times.
Mr Parker said he was with friends when he noticed Umaga becoming abusive. He ran to his nearby apartment, where he videoed Umaga from his deck.
He said that he saw Umaga being hailed by a group of young break-dancers connected to a Christian group.
"The kids were yelling out, 'Hey, Tana,' and trying to shake his hand. He turned around and told them to 'f' off and asked them if they wanted a fight and got really abusive.
"Then the kids got scared and ran back to the adult with them."
Mr Parker said it was disappointing. "I'm a supporter of his. I was even wearing the black and gold [Wellington rugby jersey]."
Van Straaten yesterday called for strong action against spectators using lasers to distract players.
The Springbok goalkicker said he had noticed a laser light aimed at him but it did not put him off as he attempted a penalty goal in the 54th minute of the test.
The light caught van Straaten on the side of the body and neck.
Van Straaten said from Sydney that the incident was "not in the sportsmanship of international rugby."
Canterbury chief executive Steve Tew was unaware of the incident but wants to hear from anyone who can identify the culprit.
"It's crazy, childish behaviour and totally inappropriate at any ground," he said.
The type of laser used is unlikely to be found on New Zealand shelves.
The pointer probably fell into the "class 3A" category - banned two years ago by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
New Zealand retailers sell "class 2" laser pointers, which are shaped like a pen and are small enough to be attached to keyrings, for $30-$100.
Ministry spokesman Tony Leverton told the Herald that a class 3A laser pointer of the strength required to reach the 50m or more from the stands to the field would have been extremely difficult to buy in New Zealand.
Fifa, the world soccer authority, banned laser pointers from all soccer games after Wimbledon footballer Vinnie Jones was temporarily blinded by rival supporters at a match.
Shame of the game: Umaga drunk, Bok laser attack
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