Rugby: Mulipola may face driving charges

Any joy the Highlanders were feeling after claiming their first win of the season evaporated quickly at the weekend when winger Lucky Mulipola was stopped by police for an alleged driving offence.

Mulipola, who is out for the season with an arm injury, was allegedly caught driving while disqualified on Saturday morning.

It is understood the second year player had previously lost his licence for accumulating too many demerit points.

Highlanders chief executive Richard Reid was unsure yesterday if Mulipola would have to appear in court.

‘‘We're disappointed, but it's just one of those things. We're no more immune to it than other companies,'' Reid told the Otago Daily Times.

‘‘It just looks worse when the person has a profile. You don't condone it . . . but it does happen.''

The Highlanders will not impose any punishment on Mulipola but they have reported the incident to the New Zealand Rugby Union and the New Zealand Players Association.

Mulipola may face a misconduct charge from those organisations.

Reid had not spoken to Mulipola but Highlanders manager Greg O'Brien and professional development manager Peter Sinclair were making sure he had support.

Highlanders coach Glenn Moore said he did not know enough about Mulipola's situation and declined to comment.

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