2 Oct 2023

Hawke's Bay Rugby Union player charged with drink driving

5:52 pm on 2 October 2023
A police checkpoint at Mana, Wellington.

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

Police have arrested a 24-year-old Hawke's Bay Rugby player for driving with excess breath alcohol.

Hawke's Bay Rugby Union chief executive Jay Campbell told RNZ the arrested man was a Hawke's Bay Rugby player.

Police say they were told at 3.35am on Sunday that a car had collided with a fence on Hunter Drive.

The man has been summoned to appear in court and police are considering other driving charges in relation to the event.

The Hawke's Bay rugby team is under investigation by New Zealand Rugby after the Ranfurly Shield was broken in two during post match celebrations.

Campbell said as many as 12 players were at the party where the shield was broken.

NZR is also investigating photos and videos on social media showing a white substance on the shield.

The team was launched into the spotlight after an image was shared on social media of white powder on a half of the broken shield.

The shield, which was won by Hawke's Bay off Wellington on Saturday, was broken into two pieces in what has been described "an accident" by the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union. Campbell said it was broken after being dropped on its point on a concrete floor, after the team had been celebrating.

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