New Zealand rugby league great Manu Vatevei has pleaded guilty to importing methamphetamine, a charge which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
According to the New Zealand Herald, the 35-year-old was granted bail after pleading guilty to the charge at Manukau District Court on Wednesday ahead of a sentencing hearing in December.
Vatuvei, who starred in 226 appearances for the Warriors, had previously denied the charges, promising to "fight for his innocence."
The former Kiwi and Tongan international was initially charged with possession and supply as well, though those charges have been dropped following his guilty plea to the importation charge.
Wednesday's court appearance brings to an end a saga which has stretched for nearly years.
Vatuvei was initally charged in 2019 but had secured name suppression rights in court, meaning reports only identified a big-name sportsman as the accused.
With that suppression order set to expire earlier this year, and after an extension was denied, Vatuvei revealed himself as the accused on social media.
"Just wanted to get something off my chest - something that's been holding me down for a while now," Vatuvei said.
"I'd rather you hear it from myself rather than from anyone else in the media.
"But, in 2019 I was charged with importation, posession and supply of methamphetamine.
"All these charges are accusations and I'll be fighting my innocence for these charges.
"I know there will be a lot of questions wanting answers, but I've been advised by my legal team that's all I could talk about.
"Hopefully you can respect that and please respect the privacy of my family while I go through this battle."
Having not played since 2017, Vatuvei retired from rugby league in 2019, going down as an all-time great at the Warriors.
