England rugby denies rape allegations

Four members of England's rugby team, under investigation for raping a teenager, are refusing to answer police questions, Auckland police say.

And in a statement just released England's Rugby Football Union says the plays "continue to deny the allegations" and were fully within their rights to do so".

The statement said the squad understood the frustration felt by the public and the media and said it was a difficult time for them.

"The England rugby squad can confirm that a request was made by the Auckland Police, for certain playing members of the squad to voluntarily attend a meeting with Christchurch Police in order to speak to officers concerning the allegations presently under investigation," it 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 it is 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."

PLAYERS REFUSE TO TALK, POLICE SAY

Auckland City Police Communications Manager Noreen Hegarty this morning gave details and the silence of the rugby players.

Police say the allegation was "that a woman was raped and/or sexually assaulted by four players" in the first confirmation of some details of the incident.

England spokesman Richard Prescott said the four players denied the allegations and had the full support of the management, team and coaches.

He said the squad continued to have "positive dialogue" with police, but lawyers had advised the four players involved 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."

Mr Prescott said the team fully understood the "frustration" felt by the public.

The city's Adult Sexual Assault Team flew to Christchurch to interview the players.

The England team have a touring lawyer with them, Queen's Counsel Richard Smith.

England coach Rob Andrews is due to hold a press conference in Christchurch at 4pm today.

Meanwhile, All Blacks coach Graham Henry has just briefly hinted at the disruption to the test buildup.

"I don't know what the details are, but I know there's a bit going on," said Henry at a press conference.

"You don't want any sporting team to be going through those situations.

"You live in that sort of life yourselves – in the international sporting environment. I think you've got a lot of sympathy for people who go through that situation.

"Certainly you just like to be supportive."

Ms Hegarty said police would continue their investigation.

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

"While no formal statement has been made by the woman who made the allegations, a formal complaint can be made at any time in the future and police are then obliged to assess the evidential basis of that complaint."

'THREESOME' REPORT

English newspaper The Sun yesterday quoted team sources saying that a woman was involved in a "threesome" with two players, while two others watched, but she was a willing participant.

Christchurch lawyer Nigel Hampton, QC, said it was unusual for police to investigate and interview witnesses without a formal complaint.

"If nobody has formally complained, I can't see why it's even in the hands of the police," he said.

"It seems to be a wild goose chase. I am mystified."

The Sun quoted a source close to the team saying an 18-year-old woman willingly had sex with two players while another two watched early last Sunday.

"Two players admitted three-in-a-bed sex with the girl," the source said.

"She'd pursued them from the start and phoned the Hilton to find out where they were drinking."

The players claim the woman was calm and in good spirits when she left early on Sunday.

Hours later, team chiefs had a call from police revealing a "serious allegation" had been made. It is understood the initial allegation was made by the woman's boyfriend.

The Daily Telegraph reported that England rugby officials were confident the incident was nothing more than a "storm in a teacup" and that no player would be charged.

"All the players have been allowed to travel from Auckland to Christchurch and that is an indication of what the police think about the situation," a Rugby Football Union official told the newspaper.

England captain Steve Borthwick told a press conference in Christchurch yesterday that morale in the camp was high in the face of the allegations. "We are a very tight group and we are all looking forward to the game this weekend."

The Sun said incoming England boss Martin Johnson was furious at stories of boozed-up stars and phoned tour coach Rob Andrew.

 

- © Fairfax NZ News