Nonu and Fa'atau arrested

All Black centre Ma'a Nonu and Samoan winger Lome Fa'atau landed themselves in hot water on Sunday morning after police charged the pair for 'resisting arrest' and led them away in hand-cuffs. Their arrests followed what has been described as a 'play-fight', which apparently turned nasty.

Wellington police became involved after they broke up what was described as a play fight between two friends outside the 'Establishment' bar on Courtney Place, Wellington. The two friends were part of a group of rugby players including Nonu.

Nonu and Poneke Premier player Evan Belford reportedly became involved in a verbal dispute with the police and both men ended up in hand-cuffs. Witnesses revealed that it took two officers to restrain Nonu.

The group were led down the street from the bar and a fight broke out. Fa'atau and his brother were then arrested joining Nonu and Belford at the Wellington Central Police Station where the four men were processed and bailed to appear in court on Friday.

"I know it's going to be blown out of proportion because of the (high profile) people involved and the history of rugby players and these sorts of things," Fa'atau told the Dominion Post.

Both Nonu and Fa'atau are expected to be named in the Wellington Lions NPC squad for the 2004 season and Wellington Rugby Union Chief Executive Malcolm Holmes was hesitant in his comments.

"It's not a rugby issue, it's personal, but there are responsibilities...in terms of the players' collective agreement," said Holmes.

It is certainly not the first time New Zealand rugby players have become involved in such incidents with a host of other players experienced run-ins with the law. But Wellington coach John Plumtree said that he was surprised by Nonu's involvement.

"I had a chat to Ma'a about rugby recently and he wants to have a big season. He's lost seven or eight kilograms through the sevens and is looking really good."

New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) Chief Executive Steve Tew, meanwhile, revealed that the NZRU would be investigating the matter.

"We will be looking into the incident, but will await the outcomes of any police action before making any decisions."