The Australian rugby league star Willie Mason has been named in Newcastle's Auckland Nines squad a week after being charged with mid-range drink-driving.
The veteran prop failed a random breath test on the Australia Day public holiday last Monday on his way in to training.
Mason is part of a 16-man squad that will be skippered by Jarrod Mullen and includes NSW representatives Akuila Uate and Beau Scott in addition to New Zealand Test forward Jeremy Smith.
NRL regulars Dane Gagai, Chris Houston, Robbie Rochow, Joseph Leilua and Tyrone Roberts are also in the squad.
The tournament takes place at Eden Park on February 14th and 15th.
