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A Napier man whose fence was smashed into as a result of����by a Hawke’s Bay rugby player says those who turned up to the crash site the day later were “very apologetic” and wanted to set things right.

The crash occurred on the corner of Hunter Dr and Te Awa Ave, in the Napier suburb of Te Awa, following after-party celebrations for the team’s��.

The spotlight has been turned on the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union over the past two days after the Ranfurly Shield was����in half during the celebrations.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is also����illicit drug use may have been taking place in the environment of the shield, following the emergence of a social media image showing “white powder” on one of its broken pieces.

No-one was injured in the accident, and police confirmed a man in his 20s had been summoned to appear in court on a drink-driving charge with the possibility of further driving charges.

Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union chief executive Jay Campbell told�����ٳܴڴ���the man charged was a player, adding it was also being treated as an employment matter.

The Te Awa resident, who did not wish to be named, said he awoke at around 3.30am on Sunday.

“I assume that’s what woke me up ... I didn’t actually hear the impact, but my wife did and got up. She said, ‘I think you’ve got to come and have a look at this.’

��“Police turned up virtually within a minute or two and there was a tow truck there as well.”

He said the driver and passengers had come on Monday to apologise to him personally.

• Mystery white powder could be plaster, Shield restorer says
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• NZR investigating shared photo of white powder on shield

“It’s an unfortunate thing but the young man has come round to apologise and is going to see things right. I also spoke to one of the passengers who was very apologetic.”

As for the damage, the man and his wife are currently dealing with insurance providers and tradesmen.

“We’re trying to find someone that can do the fix. We’ve had one guy come and have a look at it and he’s given us an idea of what is going to be involved.”

While disappointed at the incident, the man said it was good that the people involved fronted up to their mistake.

“It would be better if it hadn’t happened, but it has. He’s fronted up and said he’s been a silly boy, so you live and you learn.”

Mitchell Hageman joined Hawke’s Bay Today in late January. From his Napier base, he writes regularly on social issues, arts and culture, and the community.

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