Chiefs number eight Sione Lauaki will appear in court to face an assault charge later this month.

Hamilton police are refusing to comment further on the incident, which took place at Coyotes Bar in the city early on Friday morning. They have confirmed an assault charge has been laid against the former All Black, but will not say if further charges are likely.

The 28-year-old is due to face the charge at Hamilton District Court on March 23.

Neither the Chiefs or Lauaki will be commenting on the alleged incident until after the matter has been through the courts. He will also face Chiefs and NZRU disciplinary processes.

Lauaki has been left out of the team to play the Crusaders on Friday night, a decision Chiefs coach Ian Foster says is for the best.

"Spoken to Sione and we've both decided that he won't be involved in this game in light of the week that he's had.'

Foster says the Chiefs will fully support Lauaki over the next few weeks.