Super Rugby Aotearoa: Hijinking Highlanders 'put in their place' by teammates over Queenstown incident

The Highlanders won't take any further disciplinary action over the alcohol-fuelled antics of a group of players in Queenstown last weekend.

During the Super Rugby team's bye week, seven players were involved in a night of partying that resulted in damage to an apartment complex where they were staying, which allegedly left guests feeling intimidated.

On the morning of the incident, a 24-year-old man - who isn't a Highlanders player - was arrested at The Glebe Apartments.

While no sanctions have been dealt out, captain Ash Dixon says those involved were subjected to some "hard truths" on Monday.

"When players let the group down it affects everyone," Dixon says. 

"The disappointing thing for us is that we hold ourselves in high stead off the field, and that's one of the best things about this club and this team. For the boys to be involved in something like that is disappointing. 

"But it got spoken about first thing Monday and there were some pretty hard truths told about it and the boys pretty much put in their place."

It's unclear exactly which players were involved, although All Blacks first-five Josh Ioane and loose forward Teariki Ben-Nicholas were pictured together in an Instagram post in Queenstown.

While he took it upon himself to highlight the error in their ways, Dixon is somewhat sympathetic to their cause.

"These are young guys and we've all made mistakes. I was 21-years-old once and I wasn't perfect.

"I'm not just going to shove them to the side. They're my teammates and I'm definitely going to help them out and support them.

"They made a mistake and they know that, but we can fix that by the way that we turn up on the weekend."

Coach Tony Brown reiterated Dixon's sentiments, insisting it's time to put the incident behind them and focus on the impending challenge of the Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Sunday.

"We've moved on from that," says Brown, who confirms no disciplinary action will be taken against the players.

"The boys have obviously let themselves and the team down, so they've got a big job this weekend to make it up to the team."

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