Hurricanes players stand dejected after losing to the Blues in their season opener.

Jeremy Thrush brings down a lineout ball during the loss to the Blues.

TJ Perenara gets caught in a tackle during the Hurricanes' Super Rugby opener against the Blues.

Julian Savea dives over for try during the Hurricanes opening loss to the Blues.

Conrad Smith (left) and Faifili Levave during the game against the Queensland Reds.

Conrad Smith (left) and James Marshall celebrate after the Hurricanes one-point win over the Crusaders.

Beauden Barrett offloads to a teammate during the Hurricanes' win over the Highlanders.

Tusi Pisi makes a break for the Hurricanes during their win over the Highlanders.

TJ Perenara tries to break through the Highlanders' tackle during his sides round five win.

Alapati Leiua scores for the Hurricanes during their victory over the Southern Kings in Wellington.

Ben May scores scores for the Hurricanes during their victory over the Southern Kings in Wellington.

Jeremy Thrush of the Hurricanes is tackled by Wimpie van der Walt of the Kings during the round seven Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Kings.

Ben May of the Hurricanes tussles with David Bulbring of the Kings in a maul during the round seven Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Kings.

Conrad Smith of the Hurricanes beats the tackle of Sergeal Petersen of the Kings to score a try during the round seven Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Kings.

All Blacks wing Julian Savea is tackled by Adam Ashley-Cooper of the Waratahs.

Tim Bateman of the Hurricanes is tackled by Pat McCutcheon, left, and Adam Ashley-Cooper of the Waratahs during their round eight clash in Wellington.

Julian Savea breaks the tackle of Sekope Kepu in the Hurricanes clash with the Waratahs in Wellington.

Reggie Goodes looks for the offload as he is tackled by a Waratahs player.

Motu Matu'u dives over for a try against the Waratahs.

TJ Perenara prepares to kick as the Hurricanes beat the Waratahs in Wellington.

Julian Savea breaks away for a try during the Hurricanes' win over the Waratahs.

Julian (L) and Ardie Savea share a moment during the game against the Blues.

A dejected Hurricanes outfit walks off the field after their loss to the Blues at Eden Park.

Captain Hurricanes fires up the fans ahead of the home game against the Western Force.

Jeremy Thrush (No 4) celebrates the victory over the Force at the final whistle.

Victor Vito prepares for a tackle during the Hurricanes loss to the Stormers in Palmerston North.

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett lays down the law to his players ahead of the clash with the Chiefs.

Hurricanes prop Ben Franks tackles Peter Kimlin of the Brumbies during their Round 16 Super Rugby clash in Canberra.

Alapati Leiua of the Hurricanes runs the ball against the Brumbies in Canberra.

Faifili Levave of the Hurricanes makes little ground against the Brumbies' defence during their Round 16 Super Rugby clash.

The Hurricanes wait on Waikato Stadium for their opponents the Chiefs.

Julian Savea of the Hurricanes runs the ball during the round 19 Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Highlanders.

Victor Vito of the Hurricanes makes a break during the round 19 Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Highlanders.

TJ Perenara of the Hurricanes passes during the round 19 Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Highlanders.

Rey Lee-Lo of the Hurricanes fends Tamati Ellison of the Highlanders off during their round 19 Super Rugby match.

Hurricanes and All Blacks winger Julian Savea has issued a tearful apology after he was charged with assault in relation to a domestic incident.

At a press conference today Savea said he could not go into detail about the incident, "but I will say my partner and I had an argument, I did some things that are wrong, that I shouldn't have done, and I apologise for that".

"To my partner and family, I want to say I'm sorry," he said. "To hurt someone that you love and care so much for ... I know it's hurting them and it's definitely hurting me, so I apologise to them."

Getty Images ASSAULT CHARGE: All Blacks and Hurricanes winger Julian Savea.

He confirmed the incident took place last Sunday.

Savea also apologised to the Hurricanes, the All Blacks and the New Zealand Rugby Football Union.

"I'm not making excuses for myself. I know what I did was wrong, and I'm taking steps to make sure this will never happen again."

MAARTEN HOLL/Fairfax NZ TEARFUL: Julian Savea apologises during a press conference at Rugby League Park in Newtown. The Hurricanes and All Blacks star has been charged with common assault.

He will appear in the Wellington District Court tomorrow, the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby confirmed today.

"Obviously, we are disappointed to have this situation emerge, but we must now let the judicial process run its course. The key thing for us is to support the families as they work through what is a very difficult time," Hurricanes chief executive James Te Puni said.

"I have spoken with Julian who is deeply upset to be in this position and now needs to deal with the situation."

NOT OUR GAME: Poster child Julian Savea, with Victor Vito.

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said: "We were very disappointed to learn of this incident and Julian's subsequent charge. We appreciate this is a distressing time for all those affected and we are also helping support the family.

"As his employer, we want to ensure that our process regarding misconduct proceedings also respects his right to a fair hearing in court, so we will await the conclusion of the court process.

"Without judging the rights or wrongs of this case, we are concerned that this is another incident involving a young player. We need to find out whether we are doing enough to help these young men cope with the pressures of the professional game.

"As a result of these various incidents, we will be undertaking an independent assessment of the support we provide players from their time of induction into the professional game."

Te Puni said Savea had also appeared on posters last year as part of the It's Not OK campaign against family violence.

"Given that, Julian is embarrassed and apologetic he now finds himself in this situation."

Savea, 22, played for the Hurricanes on Friday, in a 22-16 win over the Western Force in Wellington.



He has had a stellar start to his professional rugby career, earning an All Black call-up in June last year against Ireland.



Nicknamed ''The Bus,'' Savea's block-busting style of play has earned him comparisons with All Black great Jonah Lomu.