Independent investigation clears rugby players

A probe found other bar patrons - not Coastal rugby players - were involved in incidents of inappropriate behaviour at a local bar the night of the Taranaki club rugby finals last month. Photo / File

Members of a Taranaki rugby club accused of inappropriate behaviour toward women at a local bar have been cleared in an independent investigation.

The investigation was prompted by social media posts alleging Coastal Rugby Club players groped women at Decanta Tapas Bar in July.

Licensed private investigators, former New Plymouth police detective senior sergeant Grant Coward and former CIB police detective Sue Ashton, of Third Eye Investigations, undertook the independent investigation at the request of Taranaki Rugby.

They found it was other bar patrons - not Coastal rugby players - who were involved in the incidents in the night of the Taranaki club rugby finals last month.

Witnesses, bar patrons and staff were interviewed during the investigation, and CBD security footage was viewed.

The investigation report stated "there were no criminal offences identified in this investigation".

Taranaki Rugby chief executive Michael Collins said the union was satisfied the allegations against Coastal Rugby club players had been "thoroughly investigated by an independent third party".

Collins said Taranaki Rugby took any such allegations seriously and did not tolerate or condone any sort of inappropriate behaviour.

"Taranaki Rugby wishes to thank all those involved for their patience while this issue was investigated.

"I have met with the complainant and gone through the investigation report and the findings with her," Collins said.