Southland rugby player convicted of public indecent acts

Dillan Halaholo (Photosport / file)
Dillan Halaholo (Photosport / file)

New Zealand Rugby is facing even more troubles - a Southland player has been convicted of performing an indecent act in public on multiple occasions.

Name suppression was lifted for Dillan Halaholo on Thursday.

Two of the incidents involved him masturbating in front of young girls, Fairfax reports.

Halaholo was suspended by Rugby Southland in July after he was arrested, and resigned in August after admitting the charges.

Rugby Southland says Halaholo undertook counselling and a clinic assessment after his arrest.

"Halaholo is now committed to following an extensive long term clinical rehabilitation plan to address identified personal challenges," it said in a statement.

NZR has been under pressure this year after several incidents involving its players.

In August, a stripper hired for the Chiefs' end-of-season party alleged they behaved and touched her inappropriately.

An internal investigation by NZR resulted in the players getting a caution.

Wellington player Losi Filipo's contract was terminated in September after Newshub revealed he had been discharged without conviction after assaulting four people, because it could ruin his promising rugby career.

And just this week, reports emerged of an as-yet unnamed player facing a sex charge.

Police have confirmed a 24-year-old man has been arrested and charged with assault with intent to commit rape, but are unable to confirm whether it was a rugby player involved following a game in Poverty Bay.

The Mid-Canterbury Rugby Union has confirmed it was one of their players in a statement, and said the player was stood down as soon as the union became aware of the charge.

Newshub.