Highlanders: Off-field conduct is "disappointing"

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Frustrated Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has expressed his disappointment at aspects of his side's off-field behaviour, just days out from the biggest test of their season.

Already this year injured wing Lucky Mulipola was convicted of assault and driving while disqualified.

Vice-captain Jimmy Cowan, who had been hoping for an All Black recall, was arrested on Sunday morning and charged with disorderly conduct.

Moore said he would not speak specifically about Cowan's alleged conduct as it was before the courts.

But he said the fact any player on his playing roster had come to the attention of the law was a let-down.

"Yeah, it is disappointing," Moore told Yahoo!Xtra.

"Clearly, it is a legal matter at the moment. It is something that I can't say too much about it.

"But it is disappointing, there obviously has been a couple of instances.

"It is disappointing. It certainly is not what the team is made up of.

"It has been quite a let-down. We are disappointed."

The Highlanders play the table-topping Crusaders at Christchurch's AMI Stadium on Saturday night.

Moore said any sanctions on Cowan would be considered after the end of legal proceedings.

"I can't make any comment on that," Moore said.

"Once again, it is in the middle of a process. And we can't pre-determine the outcome of those things.

"From a legal point of view, we are not in a position to make any comments until that process is done."

Mulipola, who had been forced out of the Super 14 with a broken arm, was convicted in late April.

He will be sentenced in June.

Highlanders and Otago rugby boss Richard Reid said at the time: "The primary employer, the New Zealand Rugby Union, the Highlanders franchise and the Otago Rugby Football Union will now wait the outcome of the legal process before deciding what, if any, action to take.

"Procedures to follow are clearly laid down in the players' collective agreement and the player has been informed of these. We will conduct our own inquiries once the legal process has run its course."