England Rugby World Cup center Manu Tuilagi was detained by New Zealand police after he jumped off a ferry as it was about to berth on the Auckland waterfront.
The 20-year-old Samoan-born player has been fined £3,000 (US$4,650) by the Rugby Football Union after he leaped from the vessel, which was carrying teammates, as it arrived from Waiheke Island and was preparing to dock on Sunday evening.
A police spokesperson said Tuilagi was formally warned about the offense of disorderly behavior and then released to the England team management.
“I’m really sorry. It was a silly thing to do and I apologize to everybody for any inconvenience caused,” Tuilagi said.
Warren Fowler, the general manager of the ferry company, said that the antic was dangerous and there could have been serious consequences.
“It could have been tragic, with vessels coming in here and someone jumping off the back of a vessel when it is going to be reversing shortly,” Fowler told the New Zealand Herald.
England were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals on Saturday, losing 19-12.
Tuilagi had already been in hot water at the tournament when he was fined for wearing a mouthguard bearing a sponsor’s name.
He was fined NZ$10,000 (US$7,500) for wearing the mouthguard in a game against Georgia.
England’s campaign in New Zealand was dogged by off-field problems.
Three players were forced to apologize to a female hotel employee for harassment, while Mike Tindall — married to the granddaughter of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II — admitted he had misled officials about his night with a mystery woman, later said to be an “old friend” by those close to the England center.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely