New Zealand Rugby star Sevu Reece has avoided jail time after being involved in a drunk-driving car crash last November. The All Blacks winger admitted to being intoxicated during the incident and appeared before the Christchurch District Court on December 3, 2024, where Judge Katie Elkin decided to discharge him without conviction.
Reece, 27, has been fined R22,000—R17,000 for damages and R5,000 for emotional harm—and has reportedly been undergoing treatment for alcohol abuse since the crash. He also claimed that he has abstained from alcohol since his arrest. Despite the court’s leniency, he is still subject to an internal disciplinary process by New Zealand Rugby, which could result in suspension or even a permanent ban from the team.
This isn’t the first time Reece has avoided a conviction. In 2018, he escaped a prison sentence after pleading guilty to assaulting his then-partner.
Reece has been a key player for the All Blacks, including during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, where the team finished third as South Africa’s Springboks claimed their third title.
In related news, a former UEFA Champions League winner recently showed support for the Springboks during their match against Scotland in the UK, highlighting the close ties between rugby and football legends.
