Highlanders player Fetu’u Vainikolo has met with New Zealand Rugby Union and Highlanders officials today following his involvement in an incident in Dunedin over the weekend.
A member of the public complained to the Highlanders about Vainikolo’s behaviour at a Dunedin bar early on Saturday morning (14 February) in which he threw a drink over a woman.
Vainikolo met with NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen and Highlanders team manager Greg O’Brien today.
Mr Sorensen said, after considering the facts and circumstances of Vainikolo’s conduct, the incident was deemed to be serious misconduct under the player’s Collective Employment Agreement.
As a result, Vainikolo has received the following sanctions:
· he has been fined $1000;
· he will have to undertake appropriate counselling for alcohol and behaviour management; and
· he has received a formal warning about future similar misconduct.
Furthermore, the Highlanders team management has decided to suspend Vainikolo for one match because his behaviour breached Highlanders team protocols. This means he will miss tomorrow’s match against the Hurricanes.
Mr Sorensen said Vainikolo has already met the woman involved in the incident and her family, apologised for his behaviour and the family had accepted his apology.
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