Highlanders issue apologetic statement after Queenstown incident

Highlanders have issued an apology over an incident involving seven of its players in Queenstown last weekend.

Highlanders players were staying at Glebe Apartments over the weekend and were joined by a small number of people. However, it is understood that after fellow guests complained several times of the high noise levels and behaviour of the group, the management had called for the police.

Zorrho Folomalo Lavea, a 24-year-old from Timaru was charged for an act of willful damage but the players claimed that the person in question was not known to them until the night of the incident.

Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark expressed disappointment on the incident but added that none of the players involved will be stood down from the next game against Blues.

“From our investigation, we can confirm that no damage at the apartments was caused by any Highlanders player,” said Clark in a statement released by the club.

“We can also confirm that no Highlanders player is facing any action from the police.

“Having said that, we’re extremely disappointed that some of our players’ antisocial behaviour forced guests to endure a disturbed night.

“As a club we apologise unreservedly to those guests involved.”