Sione Luauki is fast becoming the new bad-boy of All Black rugby, taking the title from such contenders as Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu and Adam Thompson. Luauki has been in hot water all season, one incident after the other. After being sanctioned by the NZRU after an altercation in a NZ bar earlier in the season, he is yet again in th headlines.

The Chiefs confirm that Sione Lauaki was involved in a car accident in the early hours of Saturday morning, south of Huntly.

No-one else was involved in the accident.  Lauaki, who was driving to Auckland said he fell asleep at the wheel. Ambulance staff attended the scene with Lauaki suffering a sore arm as a result of the accident.  His arm is swollen and will continue to be assessed by Chiefs medical staff. Alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

Chiefs CEO Gary Dawson said “understandably Sione is shaken by this accident and we are all thankful it was not more serious.”