Sione Lauaki

Auckland, March 10 NZPA - All Blacks rugby forward Sione Lauaki has been charged today with assault over an incident in a Hamilton bar last week.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs have decided to leave the loose forward out of their side to face the Crusaders in a Super 14 match on Friday night.

"Sione and I have decided that in light of the week that he has had, that the right thing to do is not play him in this game," coach Ian Foster said.

"We will fully support Sione over the next few weeks."

The Chiefs, in a statement, said Lauaki had been charged after an investigation by police.

It said neither the franchise nor the player would make any comment on the matter until it had been through the court process.

Lauaki, 28, was serving a two-match suspension for a dangerous tackle when the incident occurred.

The ban ended last weekend, allowing him to be eligible for selection again this week.