KEY POINTS:
Police are waiting on forensic test results to close an investigation into allegations that English rugby players raped a young woman at the Hilton Hotel - but the case is unlikely to go any further.
The Herald on Sunday understands criminal charges are unlikely because the 18-year-old is reluctant to make a formal complaint of sexual assault against any of the four English players.
Danny Care, David Strettle, Topsy Ojo and Mike Brown have denied any wrongdoing at the Hilton Hotel after a drinking session with the alleged victim at the Pony Club, an Auckland night-spot owned by TV presenter Brooke Howard-Smith.
Witnesses describe the women at the centre of the scandal were "sports groupies" who were cavorting and lap-dancing with the men on the night of the alleged sexual assault.
The four professional sportsmen were seen drinking cocktails with at least half-a-dozen young women at Pony before returning to the Hilton on Auckland's Princes Wharf.
Witnesses say the 18-year-old was flirting with one of the players and went to his hotel to have consensual sex. A second player allegedly joined in without permission, while two others watched. The two players who the young woman claims raped her are adamant the three-in-a-bed sex was consensual.
The players refused to speak to police on legal advice before the second test against the All Blacks in Christchurch last weekend.
It is understood that after she left the hotel, the young woman sought medical treatment and made her allegations to police late on Sunday night a fortnight ago.
She was then medically examined by police doctors and forensic samples were taken for testing.
Detective Sergeant Andy King, head of the police inquiry, declined to comment because the investigation was ongoing, except to say a formal complaint had yet to be made. The Herald on Sunday has been told the police inquiry is almost complete except for forensic tests performed by the Environmental Science Research institute.
However, the young woman was unlikely to lay a formal complaint against the English players because she was reluctant to endure the international spotlight of a rape trial.
A player could be extradited to New Zealand if police pursued the case and believed there was enough evidence to arrest someone.
But without a complainant to testify in court, police would be unlikely to press charges.
The English Rugby Football Union is to carry out a full investigation into the saga, which will be headed by a retired judge.
The union has already agreed to a new code of conduct, which will include a ban on players bringing women back to their hotel rooms.
