jenny
12-10-07, 09:00 AM
NZ's Paul apologises for behaviour
October 12, 2007
Another New Zealand sporting figure has hit the headlines for drunken behaviour in England.
Former New Zealand league and England rugby international Henry Paul has apologised to his Harlequins Super League club for his drunken behaviour at Monday's Man of Steel awards.
British newspapers reported Paul, 33, had to be escorted away from the ceremony at Old Trafford, Manchester, after carrying his drink up to the stage to accept, on Harlequins' behalf, the Frontline Fair Play award for the best-behaved Super League team, and then slurring his words in his thankyou speech.
Ian Lenagan, the London club's chairman, later rebuked Paul, before issuing a statement stressing that Paul's one-year contract signed in August was not under threat.
"Regrettably, Henry's acceptance speech on behalf of the club was affected by the fact that he had been entertaining sponsors throughout the day and was not to his usual high standard," Lenagan told The Guardian newspaper.
"While not in any way condoning such lessening in standards, I have accepted Henry's apology, particularly against the backdrop of his impeccable behaviour and outstanding contribution off the field to the club and its community activities since his arrival in 2006."
The Daily Mirror newspaper reported: "Henry could hardly stand up and was taken out of the room looking the worse for drink - he was very wobbly legged."
The newspaper said he handed a pint of beer to the MC, Eddie Hemmings, and had three unsuccessful attempts at an acceptance speech before being ushered away.
"Henry was extremely boisterous throughout the rest of the awards ceremony. A lot of heads were turned in the direction of his table," the paper quoted an eyewitness as saying.
Paul won six England rugby caps after playing 24 times for the Kiwis. He switched to rugby in 2001.
He played for league clubs Wakefield, Wigan and Bradford before moving to Gloucester rugby club.
The Paul incident comes in the same week as All Blacks winger Doug Howlett apologised for his behaviour in the wake of the All Blacks exit from the World Cup after an 18-20 loss to France in the quarterfinals.
Howlett, 29, was arrested by police in London on suspicion of causing criminal damage following an incident that resulted in damage to two parked cars outside the Hilton Hotel at Heathrow airport on Tuesday.
The All Blacks record try-scorer with 29 tries from 62 tests admitted "there was drink involved".
© 2007 AAP
October 12, 2007
Another New Zealand sporting figure has hit the headlines for drunken behaviour in England.
Former New Zealand league and England rugby international Henry Paul has apologised to his Harlequins Super League club for his drunken behaviour at Monday's Man of Steel awards.
British newspapers reported Paul, 33, had to be escorted away from the ceremony at Old Trafford, Manchester, after carrying his drink up to the stage to accept, on Harlequins' behalf, the Frontline Fair Play award for the best-behaved Super League team, and then slurring his words in his thankyou speech.
Ian Lenagan, the London club's chairman, later rebuked Paul, before issuing a statement stressing that Paul's one-year contract signed in August was not under threat.
"Regrettably, Henry's acceptance speech on behalf of the club was affected by the fact that he had been entertaining sponsors throughout the day and was not to his usual high standard," Lenagan told The Guardian newspaper.
"While not in any way condoning such lessening in standards, I have accepted Henry's apology, particularly against the backdrop of his impeccable behaviour and outstanding contribution off the field to the club and its community activities since his arrival in 2006."
The Daily Mirror newspaper reported: "Henry could hardly stand up and was taken out of the room looking the worse for drink - he was very wobbly legged."
The newspaper said he handed a pint of beer to the MC, Eddie Hemmings, and had three unsuccessful attempts at an acceptance speech before being ushered away.
"Henry was extremely boisterous throughout the rest of the awards ceremony. A lot of heads were turned in the direction of his table," the paper quoted an eyewitness as saying.
Paul won six England rugby caps after playing 24 times for the Kiwis. He switched to rugby in 2001.
He played for league clubs Wakefield, Wigan and Bradford before moving to Gloucester rugby club.
The Paul incident comes in the same week as All Blacks winger Doug Howlett apologised for his behaviour in the wake of the All Blacks exit from the World Cup after an 18-20 loss to France in the quarterfinals.
Howlett, 29, was arrested by police in London on suspicion of causing criminal damage following an incident that resulted in damage to two parked cars outside the Hilton Hotel at Heathrow airport on Tuesday.
The All Blacks record try-scorer with 29 tries from 62 tests admitted "there was drink involved".
© 2007 AAP