Rugby: Chiefs in hot water over stripper

Chiefs CEO Andrew Flexman, Chiefs chairman Dallas Fisher . Photo / Christine Cornege

The Chiefs are in further hot water after hiring a stripper on the same night Michael Allardice admitted using a homophobic slur.

The Super Rugby franchise yesterday found themselves under fire following Allardice's comments at an end-of-season party and last night it was revealed the team had also engaged the services of a stripper.

The stripper, who performs under the name Scarlette, told Fairfax that the players involved were behaving badly and touching her despite being warned not to.

"I told them not to pull this stuff with me. It's not on," she said. "It was a pack mentality."

Chiefs boss Andrew Flexman, however, denied those allegations and said independent witnesses supported his players' accounts.

"You have got to remember this is one person's accusation and her standing in the community and culpability is not beyond reproach," Flexman said.

Flexman confirmed investigations were still ongoing but said he was "very disappointed" with the players' behaviour.

"I don't think it's a good look," Flexman told Fairfax.

"Clearly it's something as an organisation, it's not good, and it's not acceptable."

Flexman said management were not present when the stripper was performing and wouldn't have allowed the performance to take place had they known.

After the Chiefs lost to the Hurricanes in last weekend's Super Rugby semifinals, the players hosted a get-together at the Okoroire hot pools, near Matamata, to mark the end of their campaign.

The incident was especially disappointing for the Chiefs after Allardice apologised on Tuesday for yelling "here come the gays" at teammates dressed in costume.