All Blacks and Highlanders loose forward Shannon Frizell won't be available for the All Blacks' first Bledisloe Cup match against Australia on August 7.
All Black Shannon Frizell Photo: PHOTOSPORT/ Andrew Cornaga
Frizell has been suspended for two matches by New Zealand Rugby following his appearance in the District Court at Dunedin today, where he was accused of assaulting a woman in a Dunedin bar in May.
He has been offered diversion and has apologised.
Frizell had already been stood down for the Highlanders' game against the Reds after the incident.
New Zealand Rugby's general manager of professional rugby and performance, Chris Lendrum, said Frizell had accepted responsibility for his actions, and was being supported with counselling.
Lendrum said New Zealand Rugby has concluded a misconduct hearing with Frizell.
"We are disappointed at this incident and the subsequent assault charges for Shannon. Given the seriousness of this incident, we felt that a two-match stand down was warranted.
"Shannon has shown remorse and regret and we believe he is genuinely committed to ensuring this sort of incident doesn't happen again."
Frizell did not enter a plea during the hearing and was offered diversion by the judge as a first time offender before issuing a statement outside the court house.
A diversion allows first time offenders to work with the police to take responsibility for the offence without acquiring a criminal record.
"I would like to take this opportunity to say how very sorry I am for my behaviour during incident in May this year," Frizell said.
"I would especially like to say sorry to the two people involved and for the harm I have caused.
"I let myself and others down and will now try to do everything I can to restore people's faith in me.
"I have already put a plan in place with counsellors to help me address the areas I want to work on.
"Once again, I'd like to apologise to the people involved, my friends, family and the wider community."
Frizell was granted bail and ordered not to consume alcohol or contact either victim until his next appearance in September.
- RNZ/ Reuters
