New Zealand Rugby

Julian Savea made a tearful apology in May © Getty Images

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All Black Julian Savea has avoided a conviction on a charge of assaulting his former partner after fulfilling a police demand to complete an anger management course and to publicly apologise to his victim.

"I am deeply sorry for the impact this has had on my former partner and child and for the attention my behaviour brought to her family and mine," Savea said. He also said he "would like to apologise publicly to the people from Te Rito Wellington Family Violence Network and It's Not OK whose campaign I fronted. I know my actions must have embarrassed them all, and I am very sorry about that."

To qualify for diversion, an offender must accept full responsibility for the offence, which must not be classified as serious, and will usually be appearing before the court for the first time. Savea's case was delayed on at least two occasions, with his lawyer Noel Sainsbury applying for more time to complete the anti-violence course.

Savea said he learned a lot from the course and counselling. "I am taking every step to change my behaviour and I am now looking forward to the future without violence."

Savea, who did not appear in court on Friday, flies out to Japan with the All Blacks side on Monday.