Highlanders halfback Jimmy Cowan may have sunk his hopes of an All Black comeback after an alleged incident in Dunedin in the early hours of Sunday morning that saw him taken into police custody - earning the stern disapproval of national coach Graham Henry.

Cowan, the 26-year-old 10-test All Black, was named as the Highlanders player charged by police with disorderly behaviour on Sunday morning, after his side had lost to the Blues in Dunedin on Saturday night. It is not clear at this stage whether he will appear in court.

While his name was not made public by police, Cowan's identity was confirmed on Monday by Southland Rugby Football Union chief executive Roger Clark.

He told the Otago Daily Times the incident might harm the Southland player's chances of test selection.

"I'd like to think Jimmy will be considered because I believe he's one of the three best halfbacks in the country. But obviously they'll take something like this into account when they make their selections," he told the ODT.

"They've made it clear that good men make good players, and any indiscretion has been punished in the past."

Details of the alleged incident could not be confirmed, but the Southland Times reported it was a relatively minor one and that there was no damage to any property.

Highlanders chief executive Richard Reid told Newstalk ZB he was dismayed that a second incident such as this had occurred for the franchise this season.

"There is a part of it which is personal responsibility and just simple professionalism, and issues like this sort of fall outside that unfortunately," Reid told the radio station.

"He goes through the courts, if it goes that far, then it becomes an employment matter between the employer and the employee. That would be the same if it was you or me," added the southern rugby boss.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry on Monday described the incident as extremely disappointing.

"It's disappointing, very disappointing," Henry told RugbyHeaven at Monday's launch of the Iveco Series. "We don't need that sort of thing."

Henry had not heard specifics of the incident when questioned, but said he "might" speak to Cowan regarding the clear breach in discipline.

"I don't know any of the circumstances," said Henry. "Obviously it's disappointing and it's not something that we accept."

Cowan has been on the fringe of the All Blacks in recent seasons, and after being named New Zealand's Super 14 player of the year in 2007 he must have been considered a chance to win his way back into the national squad. Earlier this week he was named Southland's sportsperson of the year.

He has had a solid, if unspectacular, campaign with the struggling Highlanders this year, but after Saturday night's 15-40 defeat to the Blues at Carisbrook, told the Southland Times: "I just want to put my head down and get stuck in. It's not something I've thought about, really.

"I've had my disappointments over the years and it's not something I look out for now.

"In saying that, if I do make it I'll be very grateful but if I miss out I'll look forward to playing back at home, something I really enjoy."

The incident is not the first involving a Highlanders player this season, coming just a few weeks after winger Lucky Mulipola was convicted of assault and driving charges.

But Reid told one news outlet there was not a drinking culture in the team and said Highlanders players were no worse behaved off the field than other people.

Reid said players had been given a "fairly clear message" after the Mulipola incident.

Mulipola has been remanded for sentencing next month.

With one round to play, the Highlanders lie 12th in the 14-team competition. They play the competition-leading Crusaders on Saturday night in Christchurch.