Former All Blacks scrum-half Byron Kelleher is set to face court following allegations of domestic violence made by his ex-partner. Le Parisien reports that the 47-year-old, who represented New Zealand in 57 caps between 1999 and 2007, is scheduled for trial on Monday, January 15, for purported domestic violence incidents.
According to the accuser, Kelleher exhibited verbal and physical aggression in 2015 shortly after the birth of their child. Following her departure from Toulouse and Kelleher’s return to New Zealand, their son expressed a desire to reconnect in 2022. However, the violence allegedly resumed upon Kelleher’s return to France.
The victim claimed that Kelleher, who reportedly regularly consumes alcohol in large quantities, engaged in unwarranted insults, pushing, pinning against walls, punching, and strangling.
In response to the accusations, the former All Black denied any violence, asserting that he had not laid hands on his ex-partner. This incident adds to a history of off-field controversies for Kelleher, including DUI and assault charges in 2009 and subsequent arrests related to driving offenses and domestic violence.
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Notably, this news follows the recent announcement that France prop Wilfrid Hounkpatin will face trial in April on charges of domestic violence. Hounkpatin, accused of physically assaulting his partner during an argument, is undergoing disciplinary proceedings by his club, Castres Olympique, who emphasized their commitment to values opposing such actions. Hounkpatin earned his first France cap in 2021 but faces legal consequences for his alleged off-field behavior.