All Blacks scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan will face a New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) misconduct hearing on Tuesday, following his arrest on Sunday.

Cowan has twice been arrested for disorderly behaviour in recent weeks, prompting the hearing at the NZRU offices in Wellington.

"We normally wait until the court process is complete," said All Blacks manager Darren Shand, adding: "But Jimmy has been involved in two incidents in a short period of time and we feel the need to act now."

Cowan was arrested in Invercargill early on Sunday morning and charged with disorderly behaviour.

Shand noted that while it appeared no one had been hurt and no property damaged in either incident, recurring alcohol-related problems was a cause for concern and prompted immediate action.

"The pattern of behaviour indicates that Jimmy doesn't make good decisions when he's been drinking."

Shand will represent the NZRU at Tuesday's hearing along with Neil Sorensen, the NZRU's General Manager for Professional Rugby.

Cowan will be accompanied by his manager.

A summary of facts will be tabled at the meeting and then sanctions considered under the Union's Collective Employment Agreement.

Under the Agreement, penalties for misconduct range from a formal warning to dismissal.

Cowan will continue to train with the All Blacks squad - which is preparing for the opening round of the Tri-Nations competition, against South Africa in Wellington on Saturday - pending the outcome of Tuesday's hearing.

According to media reports in New Zealand Cowan was arrested outside the One Blue Dog bar in Esk Street about 04.00 and spent several hours in custody.

Cowan was released later in the day in time to catch a flight to Wellington for the All Blacks camp.

Police said that the player was scheduled to appear on the disorder charge in the Invercargill District Court on Tuesday, but it was unclear whether he would still appear then.

Cowan, who is already facing charges relating to an incident in Dunedin on May 12 after the Highlanders lost to the Blues at Carisbrook, was not answering media calls.

Cowan and 10 other players had been released from the All Blacks to play club rugby at the weekend.

He turned out for his former club team, Mataura, which beat Te Anau 62-10. Cowan set up much of the play before passing the ball to the eventual try scorers and stayed around after the match to sign autographs for fans.

He scored his first try for the All Blacks in their win over England on June 21 and has been included in the squad for the Tri-Nations campaign, which starts this weekend.

Cowan notched up his 50th game for the Highlanders this season, has played more than 70 games for Southland and has played in 12 Test matches for the All Blacks.

Booze culture within the All Blacks came under scrutiny last week when Aucklander Jerome Kaino was arrested for drink-driving after a nose-to-tail crash.

Former All Black Norm Hewitt had said the high-profile incidents were starting to harm the national game.

Kaino joined a list of recent All Blacks to make headlines for the wrong reasons, including Doug Howlett, who last year had to apologise and pay more than NZ$26,000 for repairs after jumping on two cars after the All Blacks' World Cup quarterfinal loss to France.

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