Police will interview the entire Cronulla Sharks tour party that made the pre-season trip to Christchurch last month, following allegations of sexual misconduct against team members.
Four detectives will travel to Sydney on Sunday to begin interviews, the Sydney Morning Herald reported today.
The Sharks' touring party for the trial against the New Zealand Warriors on February 15 comprised 30 players and 12 officials.
The investigation follows a complaint about an alleged incident on match-day lodged by a 19-year-old female kitchen employee of the Racecourse Hotel, in suburban Riccarton, where the Sharks stayed.
Sharks CEO Steve Rogers said he was unaware of the development.
The woman accused several players of sexual misconduct while she socialised with them. She has since quit her job.
Christchurch police said staff will travel at some stage to Australia to speak with all people involved in the alleged incident.
"This would be a normal course of action with a sensitive inquiry such as this. However people should not read any more into it," Inspector John Doyle, of Hornby police, said.
Mr Doyle said police would not be discussing the case further.
He would not speculate when police might travel to Australia.
- NZPA
Rugby: Christchurch police to question Sharks
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