All Black Jordie Barrett has blamed "human error" on an early-morning visit that went wrong in Dunedin on Saturday morning.
Hours after his Hurricanes lost their Super Rugby clash with the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Barrett and mate Sam Casey decided to drop in on an old friend in the Otago University district.
But they beat a hasty retreat, after mixing up addresses and making themselves at home in the living room of complete strangers at 5am.
Police quiz Jordie Barrett over Dunedin house call
The pair were interviewed by police and released with no charges laid.
A shamefaced Barrett fronted media in Wellington on Sunday to explain the mix-up.
"I'm a little bit disappointed and embarrassed by what's unfolded, and I apologise to the people who were disturbed," he said.
Barrett described the events that led to the incident, claiming he had "a few drinks" in town, before picking up a snack and heading to Castle St, where Casey's friend lived.
"I followed Sam into a house where he thought his mate lived," said Barrett. "We sat down for a couple of minutes, then he told me, 'I don't think this is his house', so I walked out to the gate."
Barrett heard Casey apologising to the female residents.
"I'm assuming they'd called the cops, because they heard someone in their house," he said. "The cops came and questioned us… then we were released and went back to the hotel.
"From my end - and Sam's as well - we made a human error," he said. "We went into the wrong flat and that's all it is."
Barrett insisted he wasn't embarrassed at his behaviour.
"I'm just disappointed with events that have unfolded. I don't believe I've caused any harm to anyone.
"I had a couple of drinks with mates, but I can recall everything that happened that night and I was not intoxicated."
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