All Black Sione Lauaki (right) with minder Farrel Temata after appearing in Hamilton District Court today. Picture / Amos Chapple
Waikato Rugby Union boss Gary Dawson has apologised to reporters after a minor scuffle between a media scrum and Sione Lauaki's minder while leaving court yesterday.
Chiefs assistant coach Farrell Temata dropped his shoulder and barged at several journalists while shielding Lauaki from being photographed or questioned.
Temata could only
muster the words "piss off" as he, Lauaki and their lawyer walked from the courthouse.
Temata also stiffly pointed an index finger close to a reporter's face, taking a swipe at, and connecting with, his nose.
"If there's anything that's caused offence I apologise for that, but it's a combination of circumstances," Mr Dawson said.
"From what I've been able to make out, Farrell said he did swear at reporters. He [and lawyer Lachlan Muldowney] feel that there were reporters trying to slow down their progress - reporters trying to get at Sione - and there was Farrell between them."
Mr Dawson agreed that heightened interest was to be expected when an All Black faced an assault charge.
But it had still been a difficult time for Lauaki and the Chiefs management.
"It was just coming out [of court] and having that sort of reaction that they're not necessarily used to."
He did not wish to comment on whether Mr Temata's behaviour was acceptable to the union, because he did not have all the facts. "There is a bit of a thing on both sides, I know the reporters are just trying to do their job but then Sione has also got his rights not to say anything and just keep moving."
