Connacht fullback Mils Muliaina bailed after police questioning

New Zealander arrested on suspicion of sexual assault after game against Gloucester

A file photograph of  former New Zealand rugby union star Mils Muliaina who was  arrested on on suspicion of sexual assault after playing for Connacht against Gloucester on Friday. He has been bailed. Photograph:  Nigel French/PA Wire.
A file photograph of former New Zealand rugby union star Mils Muliaina who was arrested on on suspicion of sexual assault after playing for Connacht against Gloucester on Friday. He has been bailed. Photograph: Nigel French/PA Wire.

Former New Zealand rugby union star Mils Muliaina has been bailed after being arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

The 34-year-old, who currently plays for Connacht, is suspected of involvement in an incident in Cardiff last month.

He was shown on television being taken away by police after the final whistle of his team's European Challenge Cup quarter-final match at Gloucester last night.

Muliaina earned 100 caps as he wore the All Blacks number 15 jersey with distinction for nine years. He retired in 2011.

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A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said: "A man in his 30s was arrested at Kingsholm Stadium on Friday 3rd April on suspicion of sexual assault in relation to an incident in Cardiff in March.

"The man has been handed over to officers from South Wales Police who are investigating the incident."

A South Wales Police spokesman said: "A 34-year-old man from the Galway area in the Irish Republic has been arrested on suspicion of committing a sexual assault.

“He has been released on police bail pending further investigation.”

Details of the incident have not been confirmed. Muliaina was in the Welsh capital playing for Connacht against Cardiff Blues on March 6th.

Connacht Rugby released a statement early on Saturday confirming that "player Mils Muliaina is currently assisting the South Wales Police with enquiries relating to an alleged incident in Cardiff in March of this year.

“As this is a legal matter, Connacht Rugby will be making no further comment at this time.”

PA