Sunday 9 November 2014 17:14, UK
England are to discipline hooker Josh Hodgson for smashing a door during a party in Dunedin at the end of their Four Nations tour.
Footage of the incident, which shows the former Hull KR player hurling himself through the closed door of a student flat and celebrating the destructive act, was thought to have been sent anonymously by one of the party-goers - not an England player - to TVNZ and posted on YouTube.
The incident came in the wake of England's 16-14 defeat to New Zealand which cost them a place in next Saturday's final in Wellington.
England issued a statement apologising for the incident and pledging to arrange for the repairs to be made to the door.
The statement, issued on behalf of the England squad by team manager Jon Roberts, said: "We were made aware of an incident that occurred last night around lunchtime today.
On behalf of England Rugby League, we apologise for the behaviour and have arranged for the repair of the small amount of damage.
"It is being dealt with internally with the person involved and they will be disciplined. The players were given permission to go out after last night's game.
"On behalf of England Rugby League, we apologise for the behaviour and have arranged for the repair of the small amount of damage.
"We have had a great time in Dunedin and the city has made us welcome. Last night's match was a great spectacle for International rugby league and we look forward to returning to the city in the future."
Hodgson, who is to stay on in the southern hemisphere to take up a two-year contract with Canberra Raiders, was dropped for England's final round-robin game after making his Test debut against Samoa in the opening game of the tournament in Brisbane and also playing in the defeat by Australia in Melbourne.
Canberra say they have been made aware of the incident, which they described as "unacceptable". Chief executive Don Furner has spoken to Hodgson and stated he will face a reprimand when he links up with the club later this week.
"Josh has said that he is embarrassed by what he has done and he will be spoken to further when he arrives at club headquarters because that sort of behaviour is unacceptable at the Raiders," Furner said.
The event rekindles memories of the acts of alcohol-fuelled incidents that marred England's 2013 World Cup campaign, in which Gareth Hock was thrown out of the squad, Zak Hardaker punished for breaking the rules and other players disciplined on the eve of the opening game, although a spokesman for the tourists said the players were given permission to have a night out.
The players watched the final round-robin game from their Dunedin hotel as Australia gained the win over Samoa that confirmed their exit from the tournament.
The England squad will fly to Wellington on Monday before the Super League-based players board return flights for England via Sydney on Tuesday.
