Gregor Paul: Third strike must surely mean 'out'

Sione Lauaki. Photo / Getty Images

Compassion and sympathy have surely been exhausted in the sad case of Sione Lauaki.

He's had every chance to exorcise his demons; been given all the help - and more - anyone could ever want.

And still he found himself charged with assault on Wednesday. Good will is running thin for Lauaki. It may even have run out. Once the judicial system has processed him, he'll have to face his employer. It could be for the last time.

Lauaki, once an All Black of considerable promise, could become the first New Zealand professional player to have his contract terminated. The NZRU would see that as a disaster, but how many chances should Lauaki be given?

He pleaded guilty to assault in February 2006 and was given diversion and then discharged without conviction. The assault took place in the early hours outside a bar in Hamilton.

In September that year he was accused of punching Auckland player Roimata Hansell-Pune outside a bar in Hamilton. The issue was dealt with by the respective rugby unions and no charges pressed.

Then in January 2009, he appeared in the Auckland Family Court accused of damaging property at a Greenlane Motel. He was ordered to attend a 20-week anger management course.

This is the third time in four years he has been in trouble with the police. The message clearly isn't getting through to Lauaki. The anger management course, which according to the legal fraternity is a powerful rehabilitating tool, obviously hasn't been a success.

Professional players in New Zealand are given specialist advice on how to deal with the unique social pressures they face. It's a sad fact high-profile players are frequently provoked if they head out for a few beers.

Still, they know the drill. They know to stick together; to drink only in bars where there is security staff; to walk away if trouble is brewing and to never leave anyone on their own.

Above all else, they know if they drink too much, danger lurks everywhere. Those who follow the protocol, and most do, avoid flashing lights and uniforms. Those who don't increase the risk of their night out going horribly wrong.

That's where the disappointment lies in the case of Lauaki; it seems he too easily puts himself in the path of trouble. Why, as the police have confirmed, was he outside Hamilton's Coyote Bar at 2am last Friday?

There is also a bigger picture at play. The sight of players in the dock has become all too familiar. Some, like Lauaki, are repeat offenders.

The judicial system is seen by some as being soft on players. Name suppression is frequently granted, as is diversion. Few players are handed a criminal conviction, as that impinges on their ability to travel overseas - something they have to do for a Super 14 contract.

A typical NZRU sanction is a fine plus attendance at some kind of behaviour modification course. It's all very progressive with the aim of helping players evolve into better people. But there is an overwhelming sense some players don't fear the consequences of off-field misdemeanours.

Termination of a repeat offender's contract would be a strong message to other players that tolerance is finite.

No one would revel in Lauaki's plight should he be ditched. It would be a sad end to a career that should have been more memorable than it was. But this is Lauaki's third strike and in all other walks of life, that usually means you are out.

Credibility will be strained if a final, final-warning is issued and more promises made that a life really is going to be turned round. It's all been heard before and now is the time for ears to fall deaf.