All Blacks back row forward Jerome Kaino has become the latest high profile player to be embroiled in controversy after an alcohol fuelled night on the town. Kaino was charged with an alcohol-related driving offense after a traffic accident Friday, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said.

This follows in the wake of the infamous Barbiegate saga — in which a teenage Auckland bar-worker accused four England players of rape and another 22-year-old 'nightclub model', calling herself 'Angel Barbie' sold the sordid details of her night of sex with an England player to the British tabloid media.

On Friday the NZRU confirmed that the All Blacks loose forward, Kaino, was involved in a motor vehicle accident.

"While the nose-to-tail accident in Auckland this [Friday] morning caused no injuries, the 25-year-old was breath-tested by police attending the scene and found to be over the legal limit," the NZRU statement said.

Kaino was subsequently processed at Balmoral police station and the case is scheduled to go before the courts on July 14.

All Blacks manager Darren Shand said that the NZRU would consider a potential misconduct hearing after the legal process was completed.

"We'll wait for the police and the courts to deal with this case and then consider additional action as Jerome's employer," Shand said.

"We will be very disappointed if in fact Jerome was driving under the influence. Drinking and driving is not acceptable behaviour."

Shand said Kaino would assemble with the All Blacks for the next two weeks as scheduled.

The All Blacks will assemble next week to start preparations for back-to-back Tri-Nations Tests against South Africa — in Wellington on July 5 and Dunedin a week later.

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