Brad Takairangi stood down by Hull KR until he is sentenced for driving offences

BRAD Takairangi will not play for Hull KR until he has been sentenced for drink driving and dangerous driving.

The playmaker will appear at Hull Crown Court on March 31 after admitting the January 2 offences, which included him driving in the wrong direction on the A63 eastbound carriageway, heading westbound.

Hull KR have stood down Brad Takairangi until he is sentenced for driving chargesSWPIX.COM

Takairangi, 32, collided with a police vehicle, injuring an officer. Now he will sit out Rovers’ matches until his legal fate is decided, even though he faced St Helens last week.

Hull KR boss Tony Smith said: “We need to do something and recognise the situation Brad’s in.

“Given more time and assessment of situations, you can change decisions or make them more appropriate. We feel it’s the right thing to do at the moment.

“I didn’t know it wasn’t going to be the right thing, for him as well. As a club we considered everything a bit more.

“All sorts of things went into the decision. Some of that’s pressure from outside but also from individuals from within feeling like it’s the right thing to do.”

Takairangi may face jail at the end of the month for his crimes and Smith admits his life ‘has been turned on its head through some of his own actions.’

And while admitting it has been ‘tough’ mentally, he said the axing is as much for his player’s own good.

Smith added: “He made a big mistake and he’s paying a big price. How big a price will it be? We’re not sure. We’ve suspended him from playing, whether it’s the finality of it, we’re not sure either.

“We need to make sure we do the best by him and sometimes that’s by removing people from situations where they may not be able to fulfil things to their best.

“Brad’s not shying away from it. He’s embarrassed and disappointed about it and he can’t do any more to try and make up for it – and I believe him.

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

Takairangi played against St Helens but boss Tony Smith says more reflection led to this decisionSWPIX.COM