Howlett held at London Hilton
Doug Howlett was arrested at the Hilton hotel near Heathrow
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Wednesday, 10, Oct 2007 09:06
Record-breaking All Blacks tryscorer Doug Howlett has been arrested after a disturbance at a London hotel.
The New Zealand wing was arrested by police in the early hours of yesterday morning and questioned on suspicion of criminal damage.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan police confirmed that a 29-year-old was arrested at about 03:00 BST yesterday after detectives were called to an incident at the Hilton hotel near Heathrow airport.
"He has been bailed to return on a date in late October," the spokesman added.
Howlett is believed to be the only member of the All Blacks squad to have been involved in the incident.
In a statement posted on the All Blacks official website, New Zealand manager Darren Shand said the team's management was looking into the incident.
"We are waiting for the police to conclude their inquiries," he said.
"Once that occurs, we will initiate our own process to look into the incident and related issues."
The incident comes at a time when New Zealand rugby is already facing difficult questions after a shock loss to France in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals last weekend.
"It is a serious matter and we are concerned that something of this nature has occurred at what is already a disappointing time for the team and for our supporters," Shand added.
Howlett was not involved in the 20-18 defeat at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, but is the All Blacks' all-time top tryscorer with 49 touchdowns in 62 Tests.
He is due to begin a two-and-a-half year contract with Irish side Munster in 2008.