NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

English rugby bosses consider future ban on female guests

Herald online
20 Jun, 2008 02:34 AM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

The England team in a huddle during training. Photo / Kenny Rodger

The England team in a huddle during training. Photo / Kenny Rodger

KEY POINTS:

English rugby bosses are looking at a ban on players having female guests in their rooms, following today's confirmed allegation of rape against at least one member of the England team.

The Guardian newspaper said the RFU is considering the introduction of the ban from next season.

The
England rugby union say four of its players deny allegations of rape made against them.

It has also confirmed that they are refusing to speak to police and said this was on the basis that no formal complaint has yet been made by the alleged victim.

A statement issued late this morning said: "Those players have each received legal advice from lawyers engaged to independently consider their interests.

"In the absence of any formal complaint in this matter the players were advised to decline the request made to them to voluntarily attend upon the Police and they are fully within their rights to do so.

"The players continue to deny the allegations and have the full support of the England management, coaches and players."

Auckland City police also put out a statement this morning revealing that the players were refusing to answer questions.

The rugby union said there was a "positive dialogue" ongoing with the police.

The spokesman added: "The England squad fully understands the frustration felt by many members of the public and the media regarding the lack of information the squad have been able to provide. We hope it is understood that in the context of an on-going police investigation that this is a difficult time for all concerned and that when it is appropriate to do so further comment will be made."

Police confirmed this morning for the first time that the allegations are that a woman was raped and/or sexually assaulted by four players. No formal compliant has been made.

Auckland police flew to Christchurch yesterday in the hope of speaking with the four players alleged to be involved.

It is understood the 18-year-old woman's boyfriend contacted police after she returned from Auckland's Hilton Hotel, where an assault allegedly took place following a post-match drinking session in central Auckland on Saturday night.

Auckland City police communications manager Noreen Hegarty said the players had advised police via lawyers they declined to be interviewed at this stage.

Ms Hegarty said the investigation would continue as "thoroughly as possible" before police reviewed the file.

"Any decision about where to take matters from there will depend on the outcome of that review."

A formal complaint could be made at any time in the future.

The allegations have made headlines throughout British media, with concerns the sordid nature of the claims would ensure they overshadow anything that happens on the pitch during the team's two-match tour against the All Blacks.

A day after getting the full tabloid treatment in England's Sun newspaper, the more serious broadsheets the Times and the Daily Telegraph today both weighed in on the allegations.

The Daily Telegraph reported police were "increasingly frustrated" by what they saw as the England camp's hindering their access into the rape claims.

Officers had also hit back at perceived efforts to downplay the allegations.

The newspaper said the players were accompanied to the hotel by several young women, including the 18-year-old, who went back to the room of one of the players.

According to one report, she had consensual sex with the player before another squad member came in from an adjoining room.

Sources within English rugby have claimed the girl also had consensual sex with the second man, which was witnessed in part by two other players.

The teenager then returned home, where her boyfriend later contacted police and made an allegation of rape.

The men all maintain the sexual activity was consensual.

The newspaper said whatever the outcome of the inquiry, the sordid allegations marked a new low for English rugby.

It cited one police source as accusing the England management of "pushing agendas" by briefing newspapers that the sex was consensual even before detectives had a chance to speak to the players concerned.

"This is a very serious allegation indeed," the source said.

"Suffice to say that New Zealand police wouldn't be pursuing an inquiry of this kind if they did not believe that the alleged victims claims were sufficiently credible to require thorough investigation."

The Times said England had appointed one of New Zealand's leading barristers to defend the players should the alleged victim decide to make a formal complaint.

England captain Steve Borthwick has said it would be a "massive achievement" for his side to beat the All Blacks in the second test under the circumstances.

- NZPA

videoVideo: England team keeping mum on allegations

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Save

    Share this article

Latest from New Zealand

New Zealand

Firefighters battle large blaze at commercial building in Auckland

New Zealand

ECE reliever described child exploitation material as 'grossly beautiful'

New Zealand

'He's been made to look like a monster': Grieving Mongrel Mobster mum's heartache


Sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Firefighters battle large blaze at commercial building in Auckland
New Zealand

Firefighters battle large blaze at commercial building in Auckland

There were no reports of people inside the building.

18 Jul 10:34 AM
ECE reliever described child exploitation material as 'grossly beautiful'
New Zealand

ECE reliever described child exploitation material as 'grossly beautiful'

18 Jul 08:00 AM
'He's been made to look like a monster': Grieving Mongrel Mobster mum's heartache
New Zealand

'He's been made to look like a monster': Grieving Mongrel Mobster mum's heartache

18 Jul 06:47 AM


Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
Sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

06 Jul 09:47 PM
NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP