The New Zealand Rugby Union will conduct its own investigation into All Blacks winger Doug Howlett's arrest in London earlier this week after an incident at the team's hotel near Heathrow Airport.
All Blacks manager Darren Shand said Howlett, 29, was arrested early on Tuesday morning after a incident that damaged two cars and was interviewed by police at the Hilton Hotel, where the players were staying prior to their return to New Zealand.
"Two cars parked in the hotel's car park were damaged in the incident," Shand said.
Howlett was staying at the hotel with members of the All Blacks team, who returned to New Zealand on Wednesday after their quarterfinal elimination by France at the Rugby World Cup.
The winger, who became the New Zealand's leading tryscorer in Tests during the World Cup, was one of six All Black who had planned and remained in Europe for a holiday.
"We are waiting for the police to conclude their inquiries. Once that occurs, we will initiate our own process to look into the incident and related issues," Shand said.
"It is a serious matter and we are concerned that something of this nature has occurred at what is already a disappointing time for the team and for our supporters," he said.
Reports said Howlett would be charged with causing criminal damage and was released on bail with orders to return to court later this month.
New Zealand radio reports quoted witnesses as saying Howlett had been jumping on the two cars which had been damaged. A hotel room in which Howlett had been staying with his partner and children also was damaged, reports said.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a 29-year-old man had been arrested after London police responded to a disturbance at around 3am on Tuesday.
The arrested man was likely to face charges of causing criminal damage, the spokesman said.
Howlett later apologized to the New Zealand Rugby Union and to "people back home" for his behavior.
"I'm embarrassed that the events of one evening have led to me being in this situation. It was a little bit of tomfoolery that has caused me to be here," he said in a videotaped statement. "It's an embarrassing time but I do take sole responsibility. There was drink involved, and it's not an excuse."
Howlett said he was working with London police to find the owners of the cars involved to make restitution.
The All Blacks winger, whose international career ended at the World Cup after 62 Tests, will join the Irish rugby club Munster in January to start a two-and-a-half-year contract.
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