SYDNEY (Reuters) - All Blacks winger Doug Howlett has been found guilty of serious misconduct following an incident after the World Cup quarter-final defeat by France last month, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said on Wednesday.

Howlett was arrested at a hotel near London's Heathrow Airport on suspicion of damaging two vehicles.

He later issued a videotaped apology to New Zealanders for his behaviour, admitting his embarrassment over what he described as "a little bit of tomfoolery".

"Doug faced intense public scrutiny over his behaviour and has faced up to his actions and made reparations," All Blacks manager Darren Shand said in an NZRU statement.

Howlett, New Zealand's record try-scorer in his 62 tests, was sanctioned by the NZRU but details were not released.

The 29-year-old is due to begin a two-and-a-half year contract with Irish club Munster in January.

(Reporting by Ed Osmond; Editing by Miles Evans)