Rugby: Lauaki fined but free to play

Sione Lauaki. Photo / Christine Cornege

The Chiefs have been spared another selection headache with Sione Lauaki available to play in their crucial clash with the Bulls after avoiding an NZRU-imposed suspension.

Instead the No 8 will receive a fine and a final warning after last month pleading guilty to assault following a late-night incident in a Hamilton bar.

Lauaki and his management have been in talks with the New Zealand Rugby Union over the last two days.

Given that it was not the first, or the second, time Lauaki has hit the headlines for his off-field antics, there was an expectation that the national body would take a hard line against the 28-year-old.

The maximum fine the NZRU can impose under the terms of the Collective Agreement with the Players' Association is $4000 and it is understood Lauaki's sanction will hit that cap.

A statement was expected from the NZRU yesterday confirming Lauaki's punishment, but none was forthcoming. The statement had to be signed off by the NZRU and Lauaki's representative, Bruce Sharrock, before it could be released.

The fact Chiefs coach Ian Foster selected Lauaki in his starting XV, however, was confirmation that he had avoided a suspension.

"Our stance is that we've worked with Sione to stand him down a game, we've already done that," Foster said.

"From our perspective it's business as normal really, regardless of what that [punishment] is."

The reason he has not been stood down from rugby is understood to be that there have been real signs of improvement in the former All Blacks' behaviour in recent times.

That said, the NZRU are furious he again put himself in a position where he made a poor decision while drinking.

They want the maximum fine to show this is more than a soft option it might appear to be.

Lauaki, who will be sentenced by the courts on May 6, will receive alcohol counselling following the most recent incident, in which he twice punched a young man in the face who he thought had stolen his drink.

Last year, Lauaki attended an anger management course after he was charged with damaging windows and a TV set at a motel. In 2006, he was offered police diversion after assaulting a doorman.

The Chiefs, however, believed he was a reformed man, naming him captain for the start of the season in Mils Muliaina's absence.

This time, Foster has turned to the safer hands of Liam Messam.