[1] Cory Jane. Photo Reuters Cory Jane has apologised for his "stupid choice" to go on a drinking binge 72 hours before the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match.
The All Black winger and injured teammate Israel Dagg were at the Mac's Brewbar in Takapuna on Thursday night, where bar patrons said the pair appeared to be swaying and slurring their words.
Witnesses said Jane lit a cigarette in the bar - breaking the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 banning smoking in pubs, in force since 2004.
When police showed up for a regulation check, bar staff "hid" the players in the bar's kitchen.
Last night Jane told media it was a "stupid choice", and spoke of how important it was that he performed well in the All Black's clash with Argentina.
"I knew I had to put in a good performance after making a poor decision the other night and having it thrown all over the paper this morning I knew I had to go out there and play well," he said after the match at Eden Park.
Captain Richie McCaw said the actions of Jane and Dagg weren't great, but had been dealt with.
"I think if we're realistic about putting everything we can into winning this tournament, it is about making good decisions," McCaw said.
Coach Graham Henry described the incident as "not a very good decision, but we've dealt with that and the guys are pretty committed about doing everything they can to win the thing".
All Black manager Darren Shand told the Herald on Sunday the behaviour of the pair was hard to fathom.
"They are the ones who are going to face the consequences now because they are going to be known - particularly across the country - as the guys who let the team down."
Meanwhile, rugby authorities in Hawke's Bay said the area needed "to have a good look at itself in the mirror'' to change the booze culture associated with sports.
MAC rugby club head coach Anthony Morley said it was a sad reality that the three All Blacks who had been in trouble with alcohol this season were all from Hawke's Bay or had links to the region.
Jane played for Hawke's Bay earlier in his career and current Magpie Zac Guildford broke team protocol around drinking in Brisbane in the Tri-Nations decider against the Wallabies before the World Cup.
"These are our Hawke's Bay boys,'' Mr Morley said. "They are among the youngest ones as well and the brightest stars in the team and I think Hawke's Bay needs to take a look at itself in the mirror.''
He understood alcohol brands were major sponsors of sport, but he thought clubs did not have to go out of their way to encourage over-the-top drinking.
"We need to take responsibility for the way we administer and coach rugby. It starts with the First XVs at schools where they're taught to have a drink after the game.
Mr Morley said All Blacks management must also be consistent with any punishment.
New Zealand Maori Rugby kaumatua Whetu Tipiwai agreed, saying if Dagg and Jane were found to have broken the rules they should suffer the same consequences as those meted out to Guildford.
"For the duration of time we were with the [New Zealand] Maori team, we said to the players that they are the adults, they are responsible for themselves and what they do before a game,'' he said.
"But they're not just being responsible for themselves, they are also doing it for the team and, when they drop their guard, they have to answer for it. The whole team suffers if they are punished or can't play.''
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