Wellington and Hurricanes flanker DuPlessis Kirifi and Northern Stars netballer Mila Reuelu-Buchanan have issued public apologies, after breaching COVID-19 lockdown protocols by hosting and attending parties.
On Saturday, Kirifi, 24, and Reulu-Buchanan, 23, hosted a gathering at their home in Porirua, then attended another on Sunday in Titahi Bay, Stuff reports.
Under alert level four, all gatherings are prohibited, with people encouraged to remain in their bubbles at home other than for "essential personal movement".
Wellington Rugby Union and Netball New Zealand called the pair's actions "unacceptable" and "disappointing".
"I want to apologise to the Wellington community, family and friends, as well as WRFU [Wellington Rugby Football Union] and Hurricanes rugby for breaching lockdown," Kirifi said via Wellington Rugby's website.
"I take full responsibility for my actions here. I'm hugely disappointed with myself and this huge error of judgement.
"I know everyday thousands of people are working tirelessly to stop COVID-19, so for me to break my bubble was selfish and immature."
Kirifi - who was called into the All Blacks squad as injury cover last year - had been the face of Wellington Rugby's "staying safe" level four message.
Silver Ferns development player Reulu-Buchanan said she was "truly sorry".
"I made a mistake in breaching my bubble, and I am truly sorry for letting everyone down," she said.
"I have learnt from this error and I will not be making this mistake again."
A complaint has been made to the Police, who wouldn't confirm whether the couple are under investigation.
