Rugby: Miter Cup 10 – Otago’s ‘all-round’ player Aleki Morris-Lome faces drunk driving charges

An Otago rugby player who “loves big contacts” has been charged with driving under the influence.

Aleki Martin Morris (26), who goes by the surname Morris-Lome, had his case called in Dunedin District Court yesterday, where he was also charged with reckless driving, following an alleged incident in Moray Pl on August 29. .

Court documents allege that Morris recorded a level of 742 mcg of alcohol per liter of breath, almost three times the legal limit.

The midfielder, who has completed a constructor apprenticeship, was the only player in the Otago squad to play a role in every game last season and has returned to the field in blue and gold this year.

Otago Rugby Union General Manager Richard Kinley called Morris “an integral part of our team” and said he was aware of the charges.

He couldn’t comment on whether the incident could jeopardize the player’s role on the team.

The union will wait until the court process is complete before any employment proceedings begin, Kinley said.

That would inevitably involve the New Zealand Rugby Players Association, he told the Otago Daily Times.

This is not the first time that Morris has appeared in court.

According to ODT files, the defendant was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol when he was 19 years old in June 2013.

His breath alcohol level on that occasion was 668 mcg.

Morris was fined $ 650 and banned from driving for six months.

News of the new drunk driving charge comes just days after the player revealed that he would be moving to the United States in 2021.

Morris has signed a two-year contract to play for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby.

There he will bond again with his former Otago Boys High School coach Ryan Martin, who was excited about the signing.

“Aleki is a super electric midfield that possesses the ability to tear apart defenses with his combination of speed,” Martin said.

He called Morris “a brutal defender who loves great contacts and reads the game incredibly well.”

The defendant is free on bail until his next appearance in October.

Morris was contacted for comment.