Tuilagi fined, sorry for ferry jump

England player Manu Tuilagi has been fined $6075 after jumping from a Fullers ferry as it berthed in Auckland yesterday. Photo / Supplied

English rugby player Manu Tuilagi has been fined STG3000 (NZ$6075) after jumping off a ferry as it docked in Auckland Harbour.

Samoan-born Tuilagi was met by police after he jumped off the Fullers ferry Superflyte on its arrival from Waiheke Island with the defeated team on board just before 7pm yesterday.

He was taken to Auckland Central Police Station where he was formally warned about disorderly behaviour then released.

Today he apologised for his antics.

"I'm really sorry. It was a silly thing to do and I apologise to everybody for any inconvenience caused."

England team manager Martin Johnson said: "This was an irresponsible thing to do. Manu has been disciplined internally and I have warned him about his future conduct."

The fine will be paid to the Rugby World Cup Christchurch Appeal and capped an expensive tournament for Tuilagi who was also fined $10,000 by the IRB for wearing an unsanctioned mouthguard.

His brother, Alesana, who plays for Samoa, was also fined the same amount for wearing a similar mouthguard.

The incident rounded off a woeful World Cup campaign for England, who made headlines off the field due to Mike Tindall's behaviour at a Queenstown night club with an ex-girlfriend, three other players forced to apologise for lewd comments to a hotel maid in Dunedin - and being knocked out at the quarterfinal stage by France on Saturday night.

- APNZ