England want no repeats of NZ sex scandal

WILL HINE/ The Southland Times

NO REPEATS: England rugby boss Martin Johnson wants no repeats of the sex scandal that rocked their last tour Down Under.

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England rugby boss Martin Johnson wants no repeats of the sex scandal that rocked their last tour Down Under, warning his players about the pitfalls that might await them in Australia and New Zealand.

England are about to undertake a five match tour that will see them based mainly in Australia but they will also play New Zealand Maori in Napier on June 23.

Two years ago four England players were caught in an ugly episode at the team's Auckland hotel just hours after the side had lost to the All Blacks 37-20 at Eden Park.

Danny Care, David Strettle, Topsy Ojo and Mike Brown denied any wrongdoing but an investigation by the England union found Ojo and Brown guilty of misconduct.

That saga came on the eve of Johnson's reign as England boss with Rob Andrew in a caretaker role in New Zealand and having to deal with sex allegations.

Now Johnson wants no repeats and is demanding high standards on the looming tour.

"We'll be together for three and a half weeks in hostile territory, staying in different hotels and city centre locations," Johnson told British media as the England squad of 44 players gathered in London.

"There will be distractions and potential areas to get embroiled in so we'll need to be smart and look after each other.

"It's the world we live in. There are pitfalls and some could be put there deliberately.

"Day-in, day-out the guys will face these pitfalls when they are out and about in big cities.

"I don't think they will be targets but this is the world we live in. People have cameras on their phones these days ..."

Johnsons said he hoped lessons have been learned following the Auckland embarrassment.

 "The guys who were there have their own experiences. Now it's telling them about what is expected and the potential pitfalls," Johnson said,

"We have touched on it this week, although we've mainly kept discussions on the rugby.

"In the majority of these cases guys are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"And because they are who they are, it grabs the headlines. If it was a member of the public, it wouldn't even register.

"We'll put in place the right measures and make the players aware. I want them to enjoy being a rugby player. Part of that is enjoying going out with your team-mates at the right time, in the right place and in the right way. They are under a lot of pressure and they've got to enjoy themselves. They have to be trusted."

England play two tests against the Wallabies and midweek matches against Australia A before crossing the Tasman to be part of the New Zealand Maori centenary celebrations.

- © Fairfax NZ News