Rugby: Kawau out for Reds' match after bin assault

Highlander Jason Kawau

Highlanders midfield back Jason Kawau will miss his side's Super 14 rugby match against the Reds on Friday after allegedly being hit with a rubbish bin in Dunedin last Saturday morning.

Kawau was concussed and needed stitches in his top lip after an incident in the city at 4.20am.

Senior Sergeant Darryl Lennane said a 29-year-old Dunedin forklift driver was arrested in the inner city at 4.45am and charged with assault with a weapon.

He appeared in Dunedin District Court on Saturday and was remanded on bail to reappear on March 16, The Otago Daily Times reported.

Highlanders manager Greg O'Brien said management had spoken to Kawau and cleared him of any blame.

"We have no issues with Jason," he told NZPA.

Highlanders management considered Kawau the victim in the manner.

The 26-year-old Southlander had remained in Dunedin while the Highlanders travelled to Auckland to play the Blues last weekend.

The ODT understood he was out with his partner at the time of the incident.

Kawau will miss the Highlanders' match against the Reds at Carisbrook and with the team having the bye the next weekend might recover in time for their match against the Bulls in Dunedin on March 24.

- NZPA