Kaino charged with drink-driving

All Black Jerome Kaino says he was partying the night before he was arrested for drink-driving after a minor car crash.

The loose forward, who was training in Manurewa yesterday, told the Herald on Sunday it was the first time he had been charged with a criminal offence. The 25-year-old declined to comment further until after a meeting with All Black coach Graham Henry.

A New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) statement said Kaino was involved in a nose-to-tail accident in Auckland on Friday and was allegedly found to be over the legal limit after police breath-tested him.

Kaino was taken to Balmoral Police Station and is due to appear in court on July 14 - two days after the second Tri-Nations test against South Africa in Dunedin.

All Blacks manager Darren Shand said the NZRU would consider a potential misconduct hearing after the legal process was completed. "We will be very disappointed if Jerome was driving under the influence. Drinking and driving is not acceptable."