Former Warriors player Tevita Pakai Leo Latu makes court appearance

Tevita Latu, seen here with the Warriors in 2004, came before Auckland District Court this morning after being stopped by police on Karangahape Rd in the city on October 4. Photo / Getty Images

A former Warriors player and rugby league international has appeared in court on allegations of drink driving.

Tevita Pakai Leo Latu, 34, came before Auckland District Court this morning after being stopped by police on Karangahape Rd in the city on October 4.

According to court documents, he blew a reading of 639 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

The new limit is 250mcg.

The one-test Kiwi international hooker, who also represented Tonga, played 22 games for the Warriors between 2003 and 2005 before scoring a contract with the Cronulla Sharks in Australia.

He later moved to England, where he spent four seasons with Wakefield Trinity, but made headlines in 2007 after copping a six-match ban for racism.

The 34-year-old called opposition player Kevin Penny a "n*****" during a game against Warrington but told English media he was not a racist.

"It all happened so quickly and the words just came out," Latu said at the time. "I'm no racist - I'm the same colour anyway."

More recently, the rugby league veteran plied his talents with Pt Chevalier Pirates, whom he helped to a Fox Memorial grand final win a month before the alleged drink-driving incident.

Latu will be back in court next month when he will be required to enter a plea.

Driving with excess breath alcohol usually attracts a driving ban of at least six months along with a fine.