All Black nights out: Could stricter rules have saved Aaron Cruden?

Aaron Cruden's boozy night out and subsequent failure to catch the All Black's tour flight to Argentina the next morning have thrown a spotlight on how the team conducts themselves off the pitch.

The All Blacks don't always have a blanket curfew time when players go out - or rules that they should stay in certain numbers.

In the past the side have been chaperoned by security personnel when they head out for a meal or drink; and currently have a full-time security guard with the squad.

The side often doesn't head out after an away test in cities like Johannesburg, opting to partake in post-match festivities at the ground or hotel. Provincial sides in New Zealand also avoid going out in certain cities to avoid altercations with rival fans.

At Super Rugby level sides are known to randomly breath-test players in the morning if it is decided that no drinking of alcohol will be allowed.

In August, 2011 winger Zac Guildford breached security protocol.

Guildford indicated he was not going out but later left the team hotel in Auckland on his own, breaking team rules, and returned the next morning clearly worse for wear.

The Zookeepers' Son put this photo on Facebook, saying it was good to have 'Men in Black' partying at the bar. Photo / Facebook

In terms of sleeping arrangements at hotels, the All Blacks usually share a room between two - with the exception of captain Richie McCaw and some other senior players who might get their own room if available.

Cruden, 25, has been stood down for the rest of the Rugby Championship and may also face internal disciplinary charges and a fine.

Yesterday, he issued a statement saying it was unacceptable to miss the team assembly: "I am deeply embarrassed by this lack of judgment and have never been more disappointed in myself. I have not only let myself down but, most importantly, I have let my team down."

Cruden and other All Blacks went to the Zookeeper's Son, a bar in the Auckland suburb of Royal Oak, on Saturday after their earlier flight to South America was delayed because of mechanical issues.

Cruden eventually made his way to the Little Easy bar in the inner-city suburb of Ponsonby rather than to the Airport Novotel, where the team were staying.

It is understood he also went to the Long Room on Ponsonby Rd.

Other team rules

- The Australian rugby team have similar protocol than the All Blacks - however 15 players were suspended or handed official warnings after breaching rules for a drinking session days out from a test against Ireland last year.

"Everyone in our squad is required to comply with and adhere to high standards of ethical conduct both on and off the field," coach Ewen McKenzie said in a statement.

"Those standards were compromised in the lead-up to Saturday's victory over Ireland with a group of players making the decision to stay out late and consume inappropriate levels of alcohol during the early hours of Wednesday morning."

- A number of English Premier League have a strict 48-hour curfew before matches - which Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli famously broke in 2011 to have a late night curry, the day before a defeat at Chelsea. The Italian was fined a weeks wages of £150,000.

- Swimmer Daniel Bell was sent home from the Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010 after breaking Swimming New Zealand's 'zero-tolerance alcohol protocol'.

Bell admitted to having a 'couple of beers' after the swimming meet but was sent home immediately.