England World Cup centre Manu Tuilagi was detained by New Zealand police after jumping off a ferry as it was about to berth on the Auckland waterfront, media reports claimed early on Monday.

The 20-year-old Samoan-born player was believed to have jumped off the ferry, which was carrying other teammates, as it arrived from Waiheke Island and was preparing to dock, the New Zealand Herald reported on its website edition.

Police refused to identify Tuilagi as the individual involved, but sources told the newspaper that the player swam to the quay.

A police spokeswoman said that he was formally warned about the offence of disorderly behaviour, and then released to the England team management.

Warren Fowler, the general manager of the ferry company, said the antic was dangerous and that there could have been serious consequences.

"It could have been tragic with vessels coming in here and someone jumping off the back of a vessel when it is going to be reversing shortly," Fowler said.

England were knocked out of the World Cup by France in the quarterfinals on Saturday, losing 12-19 to their Six Nations opponents.

Tuilagi, the baby brother of Samoan winger Alesana, had already been in hot water at the tournament when he was fined for wearing an illegal gumshield bearing a sponsor's name. He was fined NZ,000 (,500) for wearing the wrong mouthguard in England's game against Georgia.

Tuilagi Senior had, earlier in the tournament, also been fined for wearing an incorrect mouthguard in one of Samoa's Pool D fixtures.

AFP