Brad Takairangi has resigned from Hull KR pending a traffic conviction

BRAD Takairangi will not play for Hull KR until he is convicted of drunk driving and dangerous driving.

The playmaker will appear at Hull Crown Court on March 31 after admitting the January 2 offenses of driving the wrong way on the eastbound A63 and driving westbound.

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Takairangi, 32, collided with a police vehicle, injuring an officer. Now he will sit out Rovers games until his legal fate is decided, despite playing against St Helens last week.

Hull KR boss Tony Smith said: “We have to do something and recognize the situation that Brad is in.

“If you have more time and assess situations, you can change decisions or make them more appropriate. We think it’s right for now.

“I didn’t know it wouldn’t be right for him, too. As a club, we thought about everything a little more.

“All sorts of things went into the decision. Part of that is pressure from outside, but also from individuals from within who feel like it’s the right thing to do.”

Takairangi could face jail for his crimes by the end of the month, and Smith admits his life “has been turned upside down by some of his own actions”.

And while he admitted it was “tough” mentally, he said the ax might just as well be for his player’s own good.

Smith added: “He made a big mistake and he’s paying a heavy price. What will the price be? We are not sure. We suspended him from the game, we don’t know if it’s final either.

“We have to make sure we’re doing what’s best for him, and sometimes that’s done by removing people from situations where they might not be able to do things in the best possible way.

“Brad doesn’t shy away from it. He’s embarrassed and disappointed and there’s nothing he can do to make things right – and I believe him.

“I’m pretty sure he will train with us. The worst thing in the world would be to isolate him.”

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