Saili axed over driving offence
The fall-out over misbehaving New Zealand players escalated further on Monday when it was revealed that Blues midfielder Francis Saili has been dropped over a driving offence.
Blues head coach John Kirwan told a media briefing at the team's training base in Auckland.
This followed after All Blacks wing Julian Savea appeared in court and was remanded on bail, charged with assaulting his girlfriend.
Kirwan told the media that Saili has been dropped from the starting XV to play the Reds in Brisbane on Friday.
The 22-year-old Saili had his driving license suspended after incurring too many demerit points for speeding offences, and last Friday was caught driving by police.
He will appear in court on Tuesday.
"I am incredibly sorry and want to apologise for letting my teammates, the Blues franchise and all our fans down," Saili said.
"I made a poor error of judgment and have paid the price for it.
"I am determined to do whatever it takes to make it up to those I have let down."
Kirwan, addressing the media, described Saili as "just a young man who's done a silly thing".
"He was disqualified from driving because of speeding tickets, and he got caught driving the other day," Kirwan said.
"He was late for an appointment and made a dumb choice.
"We're not playing him in the starting XV for his punishment, and there's NZRU protocols taking place."
The Blues face the Reds in Brisbane on Friday.
