Former Wallaby George Smith arrested in Japan

Yeah, not a country you want to get into jail in. Basically, from what I understand, inmates have to assume this type of squatting position and aren't allowed to talk. And that includes people in their seventies convicted of shoplifting who were going hungry. Spine chilling. Hope George can sort this out ASAP.

In Japan if a foreigner gets into a fight with a Japanese national and irrespective of whether the Japanese national provoked or even hit the foreigner first, the foreigner is done for. They will be held for 3 days while police investigate and if they find evidence that the foreigner hit the Japanese national then they will be held for another 10 days. During this time the foreigner needs to hire a lawyer who will negotiate with the Japanese national to enter an agreement whereby the foreigner pays compensation to the Japanese national for their injuries and the Japanese national requests the prosecuter takes lianiency on the foreigner. Additionally the foreigner must sign a statement confessing they were wrong and requesting forgiveness. If all of this is done they have a chance of just paying a fine and being released. If this isn't done then after the 10 days expires the foreigner will be held without bail for 3mths awaiting trial. Japan has a conviction rate at trial of something like 99%.

Thats somewhat disappointing to hear Train. Maybe its an exception. Or maybe he mistook your for a cabbie? :D

He was just following a Brumbies tradition! https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/sport/act-brumbies-arrested-after-taxi-tussle-336259

It seems like lots of people meet him in bars all around the world lol

did you forget how to spell "league" in google KC

It is unlikely charges would be pressed if there was something Smith did that wasn't cool. They need evidence to charge someone and they need to believe that if they press charges it has good chance of winning in court so the outcome will be interesting - probably an out of court settlement to minimise the media damage with the charges being conspicuously dropped is how these type of offences pan out if the accused has little chance of winning in court - which is not the same as being innocent. We shall see. Hope it was a misunderstanding but police don't press charges on a misunderstanding if they have viewed the evidence but Smith management will be making swift moves to nullify any character damage and if an out of court settlement is the outcome it normally comes with an agreement for the victim to publicly play down the seriousness of what happened or give no interviews about the event while Smith and his management make public apology for a "misunderstanding" ! If this sounds familiar - it because it is how the legal game is played when celebrity or sports star reputation is on the line unless its a major offence

So I've been told, Fionn.

Ballymore I don't know if Smith is a good guy or not just a great rugby player but drug and alcohol problems are pretty hard to shake. Maybe Hunt just had a relapse but I dunno. I reckon there is a bit of a culture of drug taking on the Gold Coast and Sydney and for all I know Melbourne and that can't be good if you have a bit of a rubber arm. I have not actually commented on Hunt and wish him well but if I had to guess I'd say he has an issue he needs to deal with. If he is prone to drinking too much then that can make it harder to say no to other party favours. If he knows he shouldn't/can't drink then there's a greater temptation to induldge in a different drug. I heard a rumour about some track and field athletes smoking pot to relax because alcohol consumption had a bigger impact on their athletic performance. If George has a problem with alcohol then I'd have expected it to materialise before now. He has been playing rugby since he was old enough to drink and in say 17 years of rugby I reckon he must have had a few benders. Has he been in trouble before? In regard to photo opportunities I am sure sometimes everyone is tired and just wants to be left alone. But I dunno. Maybe he is not into it or not into it after a few drinks. The truth to that one is out there coz some of you guys from Canberra will know about him pretty well.

That I certainly am Fionn - no argument there

Two occasions? Is that a division by dog years TWAS? I'd imagine two might be the total number of positive comments you've made regarding GS this year; which seems somewhat disproportionate for the award-winning, single best player in the team and the one who, at times, was talismanically holding together an eye-wateringly dire, swiss cheese Reds defence.

I heard he's deeply involved in Unit Trusts.

I say he is a great judge of character and not trusting of the RA employees.

Now its 3.

Crashball, Piru, I don't think you guys understand. Michael Hooper is the best 7 in Australia, the best player in Australia and possibly the best player in the world. You guys are just biased against the Waratahs.

Yeh right, but so much for auto correctness, lol. Cheers.

That was probably it. You’re right. And I agree. Being a bit of a jerk to people (I heard somebody else who met him at another bar on a different occasion had a similar experience) does not equal criminal.

I met him two years ago in a Twickenham bar watching a Wallaby game from Brisbane. It was early and our two families were the only patrons. He bought me a beer but refused my return shout on the basis he was driving. He even asked me if I was driving to discourage a second. Charming bloke reluctant to give me any insight on his Wallaby chances (he’d just signed for Wasps). My wife and daughter loved him. This story seems really out of character and I’d be shocked if there wasn’t more to it.

You mean when on two occasions I’ve said the number of silly penalties he gave away were disappointing? It’s hilarious you label me at some Smith hater when I’m one of his biggest fans, and was extremely excited for his arrival and said so on this very website. I just didn’t let that stop me noticing that at times he gave away silly, blatant penalties, and it hurt the Reds

Hodgson is a vegemite bleeding Champion and one of my all time favourites, so no disagreement there. For some reason I'm feeling quite protective of middle aged blokes. Can't remember why. Now where the hell did I put those darned glasses?