Thursday, 18 August 2022
Meet the JournalistsPremiumAucklandWellingtonCanterbury/South Island
CrimePoliticsHealthEducationEnvironment and ClimateNZ Herald FocusData journalismKāhu, Māori ContentPropertyWeather
Small BusinessOpinionPersonal FinanceEconomyBusiness TravelCapital Markets
Politics
Premium SportRugbyCricketRacingNetballBoxingLeagueFootballSuper RugbyAthleticsBasketballMotorsportTennisCyclingGolfAmerican SportsHockeyUFC
NZH Local FocusThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay of Plenty TimesHawke's Bay TodayRotorua Daily PostWhanganui ChronicleStratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu Courier
Covid-19
Te Rito
Te Rito
OneRoof PropertyCommercial Property
Open JusticeVideoPodcastsTechnologyWorldOpinion
SpyTVMoviesBooksMusicCultureSideswipeCompetitions
Fashion & BeautyFood & DrinkRoyalsRelationshipsWellbeingPets & AnimalsVivaCanvasEat WellCompetitionsRestaurants & Menus
New Zealand TravelAustralia TravelInternational Travel
Our Green FutureRuralOneRoof Property
Career AdviceCorporate News
Driven MotoringPhotos
SudokuCodecrackerCrosswordsWordsearchDaily quizzes
Classifieds
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDriven MotoringThe CountryPhoto SalesNZ Herald InsightsWatchMeGrabOneiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Sport|Rugby

Steve Hansen warns All Blacks after Chiefs stripper scandal

4 Aug, 2016 12:55 AM4 minutes to read
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen stand-up, commenting on training, Super Rugby and the Chiefs stripper scandal.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen stand-up, commenting on training, Super Rugby and the Chiefs stripper scandal.

NZ Herald

Steve Hansen has reminded his players of what is expected of them as All Blacks in the wake of the Chiefs stripper scandal.

The All Blacks went into camp in Auckland this morning, when Hansen talked about behavioural expectations.

He said there was no place for Mad Monday celebrations in the modern professional environment and that they had to find other ways to celebrate the end of their season.

"I don't know if it's true or not true, I wasn't there. If it's true it's disappointing, if it's not true it's disappointing too because a whole lot of things are coming out of this which are not good for rugby," Hansen said in Auckland today.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

"The one thing I do know is that it's a massive lesson about mad Mondays. We should kick them to touch, we don't need them."

Asked whether he had warned the All Blacks about their behaviour he said: "I've given them a reminder that there is a certain way to behave."

The Chiefs launching an investigation, alongside New Zealand Rugby, following allegations of improper behaviour with a stripper at the team's season ending function earlier this week.

Speaking to Radio Sport's Martin Devlin, Flexman said the comments do not reflect his values.

"Having read the comment verbatim it was one thing that jumped out to me. It was a high pressure environment when I made the comment, and the context around making the comment is somewhat relevant.

"It certainly gives the impression that there are questions around her integrity given her vocation... I regret the way it's been phrased if I'm honest."

Related articles

Sport|Rugby

Stripper: Chiefs had 'pack mentality'

03 Aug 08:14 PM
Sport

Sponsor's stripper comments 'appalling'

04 Aug 04:42 AM
Sport|Rugby

Dane Coles bracketed for final

04 Aug 01:48 AM
Sport|Rugby

Sam Cane sent home to recover from concussion

04 Aug 02:55 AM

In a later press conference, Flexman said he was "really, really disappointed" a stripper had been hired and "did not condone" that decision.

He said an investigation would be launched immediately and "appropriate action" would be taken against players if the stripper's allegations were proved correct.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Earlier, Flexman had cast doubts on the credibility of the allegations. However, during the press conference he said "no assumptions" would be made before the investigation was complete.

The press conference was cut short as reporters asked questions including if any All Blacks were involved.

The scandal erupted after a stripper was booked by the team at their season-ending function at the Okoroire hot pools near Matamata.

She alleged the players touched her inappropriately during her performance.

The stripper, known as Scarlette, told Radio New Zealand it was an intimidating job and the players had no respect.

"I made it very clear that I didn't want to be touched, even though I had a smile on my face it doesn't affect the words coming out of your mouth - that was just me maintaining my professionalism, trying to get out of there safely," she said.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

"I had one of the players going through my phone, they proceeded to lick me in places that I don't totally agree with. I felt like I was pressured for that."

She told Radio New Zealand that the incident should be investigated and disagreed with the Chiefs' view on events.

"Well then they weren't looking, were they? I mean, that's where it turns into a 'he said, she said' part of the argument which I believe is present in any case of sexual abuse, anything like that.

"If my word means nothing, then so does every other woman's word that's ever said anything against someone."

Flexman had said that the stripper's claims were "one person's accusation and her standing in the community and culpability is not beyond reproach".

He told Devlin the comment was "not consistent with who I am and my values".

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

"I'm not in a position to make that assertion because I don't know the woman from a bar of soap."

He agreed that he needed to apologise to the woman.

"Absolutely, the context is important for me but in terms of the way it's been phrased I regret it."

Flexman said the incident would result in an investigation into the organisation's culture.

"We expect better from our players and as an organisation. We are disappointed this has happened and we weren't made aware of the players' intentions.

"We'll be seeing if we need to ask some deeper and harder questions."

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

The allegations come after lock Michael Allardice apologised for chanting "here come the gays" and offending members of the public present at the pools.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Sport

Sport

'It's tough': NZ Rugby board member speaks out on Ian Foster decision

18 Aug 06:00 AM
Premium
Sport|Rugby

'Worth the risk': Wayne Smith's Black Ferns gamble as World Cup fast approaches

18 Aug 06:00 AM
Premium
Sport|Rugby

D'Arcy Waldegrave: Foster's brutal examination will be the making of him

18 Aug 05:12 AM
Premium
Sport

'Really tough decision': Young Warriors star explains move to rival club

18 Aug 04:45 AM
Sport|Cricket

Black Caps' ODI winning streak snapped in meek display

18 Aug 02:50 AM

Most Popular

Seally season: Seal chases cat into marine biologist's lounge
New ZealandUpdated

Seally season: Seal chases cat into marine biologist's lounge

18 Aug 06:18 AM
Labour MP Gaurav Sharma speaks out; accuses PM and her office of a 'cover-up'
New Zealand|PoliticsUpdated

Labour MP Gaurav Sharma speaks out; accuses PM and her office of a 'cover-up'

18 Aug 06:27 AM
Premium
Stress on the flight deck: The pilots who suffered most during pandemic
Business

Stress on the flight deck: The pilots who suffered most during pandemic

18 Aug 05:45 AM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2022 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP