Savea cops a plea

All Black Julian Savea, the face of an anti-domestic violence campaign in New Zealand, apologised after escaping conviction on a charge of assaulting his former partner.

Police agreed to withdraw the charge of common assault after Savea completed a counselling programme in the wake of the incident in April at his Wellington home.

The 23-year-old wing, who has played 18 Tests for the All Blacks, did not attend the Wellington District Court hearing where the case against him was formally dropped, but issued a statement saying he was a changed man.

He apologised to former partner Dawn Rogers, his family and the organisers of the "It's not OK" domestic violence campaign he fronted last year.

"I am taking every step to change my behaviour and I am now looking forward to the future without violence," he said.

Savea added that going to counselling had been "incredibly helpful".

AFP