Lauaki to train with Chiefs despite court hearing

Chiefs forward Sione Lauaki will train with his teammates in Queenstown this week ahead of his court appearance on Thursday for an assault charge.

A Chiefs statement today said Lauaki would travel with the squad to Queenstown tomorrow to help them prepare for the pre-season Super 14 match against the Highlanders there on Thursday evening.

All Blacks loose forward Lauaki would return before then for his Hamilton District Court appearance, facing a charge of common assault.

The charge carries a maximum jail term of one year.

Lauaki was arrested in Hamilton in the early hours of Friday morning after allegedly assaulting a 26-year-old man.

Lauaki played in seven test matches in his first season as an All Black, making his debut last June against Fiji.

- NZPA