Reece: 'There’s no shame in reaching out'
Sevu Reece had the opportunity to try to retain name suppression but chose not to pursue that. He feels there is an important story to share about how he has improved himself over the past 13 months.
Adopted Southlander Sevu Reece says good things have come from a low moment in November last year.
The All Black wing - who signed with the Southland Stags this year - appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Tuesday.
Court documents state at 1.20am following Cup Day in Christchurch last year, Reece was asked to leave by the occupants of a property he was at after he was “disrespectful to other house guests”.
He then got into a car and accelerated up the driveway, crashing into the victim’s garage causing “substantial damage” to the garage and vehicle.
He got out of the car and left the address on foot.
Judge Katie Elkin ordered Reece to pay more than $2000 in reparation and emotional harm and he was discharged without conviction.
The 27-year-old had the opportunity to try to retain name suppression but chose not to pursue that. He feels there is an important story to share about how he has improved himself over the past 13 months.
In 2018, Reece was also granted a discharge after admitting a charge of common assault on his then-partner in an incident that was also fuelled by alcohol.
Reece has now stopped consuming alcohol. His last drink was over a year ago, he said.
He has apologised for his behaviour that led him to court.
“I can only just make things right from here with my actions and the things I do from now,” Reece told media outside the Christchurch District Court on Tuesday.
“Lots of positives have come out of this, there’s lots of things I’m working on. The last time I had a drink was over a year ago.
“It feels really good. There’s no shame in reaching out to those people who actually need help.”
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Reece had previously been aligned to the Tasman Mako, as far as his provincial rugby ties. However, they opted to part ways with the All Black wing following the 2023 season.
He had played just six games in four years for Tasman because of his All Blacks commitments.
Rugby Southland opted to step in and sign Reece. Southland rugby officials were aware of the pending court appearance at the time of Reece’s signing.
Reece did not make an appearance for the Stags in the 2024 NPC, although Rugby Southland never expected him to.
They saw benefits in having Reece in the Stags family for marketing purposes. As well as having him spend time alongside Southland players in a training or game day situation.
Given what Reece has gone through, he might have another string to his bow in terms of being a sounding board for any players who themselves might have some challenges with alcohol.
Reece spent time within the Stags setup in Christchurch for their preseason game against Tasman this year, as well as for the NPC fixture against North Harbour at Rugby Park in Invercargill.
He has a connection to Southland through his partner Kiri Howell who hails from the province.
Reece was supported by Howell in court on Tuesday.