Police called after All Black's boozy 5am mistake

Police were called in New Zealand after All Black Jordie Barrett and a friend let themselves into a stranger’s flat following a boozy night out.

Barrett and well-known rugby aficionado Sam Casey had been having a ‘few beers’ following the Hurricanes loss to Highlanders.

The were found at a student accommodation in Dunedin consuming a McDonalds at approximately 5am after letting themselves in through an open door – a flat which they believed belonged to their friend.

The actual occupiers of the flat – two shocked female students – walked in on the pair and demanded they leave.

Casey told New Zealand newspaper – the Herald on Sunday – that it was case of “a couple of muppets making a stupid error after a few beers”.

“We never intended to do anything wrong. The door was unlocked and we thought it was our mate’s place, which it turns out is over the road. They were pretty upset and rightly so.”

The pair made their apologies and left the apartment. Police were called and spoke to the pair but no charges were brought.

Barrett has since addressed the incident, telling media Sunday morning “I can’t say I’m embarrassed by what’s happened, I’m just disappointed with the events that have unfolded.”

“I don’t believe I’ve caused any harm to anyone, haven’t spoken to anyone, basically it was a human error, walked into the wrong flat and we left.”

“That’s all that it is. He thought it was his mates’ house but it wasn’t, so we left,” Barrett continued.

“So I’m assuming they’d called the cops because they might have heard someone in their house, because we walked into the house thinking it was Sam’s mates.

“A few minutes later the penny dropped, he realised it wasn’t his mates’ house, we left, and then the cops came.

“They came and questioned us, asked a few questions and then we were released and then went back to the hotel.”

Barrett defended his behaviour and said he “can recall everything that happened that night and I was not intoxicated”.

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The Hurricanes have described the incident as an innocent mistake.

The 6’5, 102kg utility back is enjoying another excellent season with the Hurricanes, but the NZR will be eager for their rising star avoid this type of off-field distraction.

Last year an independent report into New Zealand Rugby has found that the sport has to confront issues surrounding sexism, violence, alcohol consumption, attitudes to homosexuality and a culture of entitlement if it wants to remain relevant in a modern New Zealand.

In November 2016 New Zealand Rugby (NZR) committed to an independent Respect and Responsibility Review (RRR) to “understand” how NZR can lead, develop and support people within the rugby system to be better people and collectively to create better rugby players, teams, volunteers and experiences.

The report states: “Events prior to and in 2016 began to undermine rugby’s place and contribution, with issues that no longer reflected
contemporary New Zealand’s values and expected behaviours. These issues were of concern to people within the rugby family and the wider community.”