Otago and All Black loose forward Adam Thomson's court case has been adjourned until next month.
Thomson was charged with assaulting his partner, Joanne Holley, in Havelock North on December 21, and appeared in the Hastings District Court on December 23.
He entered no plea and the case was adjourned until January 29.
Thomson's case has been further adjourned by the court Hastings District Court registrar and will not be back in court until February 26, for a pre-depositions hearing.
A Hastings District Court spokesman said Thomson may be excused from appearing on that date, but confirmed the case would be heard in Hastings.
If Thomson has to appear, it may be a logistical nightmare, as the Highlanders will be in Sydney to play the Waratahs the following night in the Super 14.
A decision on whether he has to appear in court will be made nearer the time.
Thomson has had an operation on a thumb and will see a specialist tomorrow, before the side's second pre-season match, against the Crusaders, in Timaru this Friday.
