All Blacks in ‘silly’ incidents
WELLINGTON: The All Blacks are in damage control a week out from the test series against France, after two highprofile players were caught up in offfield incidents.
Jordie Barrett faces a dressing down from coach Steve Hansen ‘‘for being stupid’’ in an early morning incident in Dunedin, while Blues winger Rieko Ioane admitted his involvement in postgame ‘‘antics’’ that left him injured.
Hurricanes fullback Barrett attracted headlines in New Zealand after he and a male friend were discovered eating takeaways in a stranger’s home at 5am, following his visiting team’s loss to the Highlanders the previous evening.
The occupants of the flat, two women, contacted police who questioned the two men and took no further action.
Barrett told journalists the two men thought the flat belonged to a friend and walked in through an unlocked door.
‘‘I can’t say I’m embarrassed by what’s happened, I’m just disappointed with the events that have unfolded,’’ Barrett said.
‘‘I don’t believe I’ve caused any harm to anyone, haven’t spoken to anyone, basically it was a human error, walked into the wrong flat and we left.’’
Barrett denied being intoxicated, explaining he had enjoyed a couple of drinks and had a clear recollection of the entire night.
Hansen was unimpressed by the lack of professionalism shown by the 21yearold, the younger brother of All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett.
‘‘He won’t get reprimanded for anything other than being stupid,’’ Hansen told Radio Sport.
‘‘I think that everyone would agree that it’s just a genuine mistake and one that could be made by any young person.’’
The Blues released a statement confirming Ioane had been treated at hospital for a cut above his eye, following his involvement in ‘‘antics’’ following their loss to the Rebels in Auckland.
Some reports said Ioane was involved in a skirmish with a teammate but he said it was little more than high jinks gone wrong.
Blues chief executive Michael Redman said the incident would be reviewed. — AAP