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Hooker Dane Coles has been fined $1000 by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and suspended for one match by his Hurricanes team.
The punishment was announced today, after Coles was arrested in Paraparaumu last Saturday night for disorderly behaviour.
He was found heavily intoxicated by police and became aggressive when they offered him a lift home.
NZRU general manager professional rugby, Neil Sorensen, said while Coles' case was still before the courts, both the NZRU and Hurricanes decided to fast track their investigation of the incident.
The suspension means Coles, 22, will miss the Hurricanes' Super 14 match against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday night.
Sorensen said Coles would also undertake appropriate counselling for alcohol and behaviour management, and he had received a formal warning about future similar misconduct.
The punishment handed out to Coles is identical to that taken against Highlanders wing Fetu'u Vainikolo last week following another alcohol-related incident.
Vainikolo was fined $1000 and suspended for one match.
- NZPA
