KEY POINTS:
The women at the centre of a sex scandal involving four English rugby players have been described by witnesses as "sports groupies" who were cavorting and lap-dancing with the men on the night one claimed she was raped.
The reputation of English rugby is again in the spotlight after speculation four unmarried members of the touring squad were involved in a sexual assault on an 18-year-old girl at Auckland's Hilton Hotel last Sunday morning. The victim, who earlier that night was seen drinking with friends at Auckland's Pony Club, has spoken to police but to date has refused to make a formal complaint.
She sought medical treatment and on Sunday night made her allegations to police that she had been raped, The Sunday-Star Times reported today. The woman was medically examined by police doctors.
Her identity still remains a mystery, although some closely connected with Auckland's bar scene have linked her to several high-profile nightspots where she is said to be a regular.
It is alleged the woman had a three-in-a-bed romp with two players while another two watched. The Herald on Sunday is aware of the names of the four players at the centre of the controversy.
However, for legal reasons, the newspaper has chosen not to name the men, but witnesses have confirmed they were seen drinking cocktails with at last half a dozen young women at the Pony Club last weekend before returning to the Hilton on Auckland's Princes Wharf.
Members of the All Blacks had also been in the bar that night.
Last year, six players from the national side were reprimanded for a 4am session at the Pony Club in the run-up to a crucial showdown with arch rivals Australia. The carousing All Blacks were undone by a member of the public who slipped a letter under the team manager's door denouncing them.
One witness said the girls in question were well-known "sports groupies" and last weekend had been fawning all over the four English players.
"They were climbing all over them with their boobs hanging out. It was shameless behaviour," a witness said.
"I was down there and was gobsmacked to see what was going on, all these drunken girls throwing themselves about. They had no standards or self-respect."
It is understood the girls were among those invited by text message to the club by owner Brooke Howard-Smith.
However, yesterday he maintained he had no clues as to the identity of the alleged victim.
Staff at neighbouring strip club Showgirls were also saying little, but a doorman did say on the night of the alleged incident everyone involved had got "pretty rowdy".
Staff at the Hilton recall the players returning to the hotel early Sunday morning and said none appeared to be there "under duress".
"These guys certainly didn't abduct these girls, that's for sure. They were more than happy to be there," one staffer told the Herald on Sunday.
"They were just having a good time; partying hard."
The players were occupying rooms on the seventh floor of the hotel and it was there the alleged rape took place. It is understood the woman's boyfriend made a complaint to police, angry at the fact she didn't return home that night.
Said a Hilton staffer: "Yeah he was pissed that she didn't come home so went to the cops." Sophie Lewis, a 22-year-old model, has already confirmed she was among the group who returned to the Hilton, but yesterday she wasn't returning Herald on Sunday calls.
It is understood she has signed a deal with a UK tabloid where she will reveal all about her sexual encounter. Two days ago the Sun newspaper reported her saying the rugby player she spent the night with "went like a Duracell bunny", describing how "we must have done every position imaginable.
Inquiry head Detective Sergeant Andy King yesterday refused to comment on the case, or confirm the names of the four English players.
Police, however, did say they would not be stopping the players from returning home today, despite the fact inquiries into the allegations were still ongoing.
On Friday detectives travelled to Christchurch where the team last night played its final tour match after being told the players would be given statements.
But after speaking to locally appointed lawyers they did an about face, angering some in the squad who claimed the reputation of every team was being sullied by their failure to come forward.
English team management have hit back at claims the side were involved in anything unsavoury.
"There are lurid allegations floating around, but in our view, these boys are innocent until proven otherwise," England RFU boss Francis Baron told the Independent newspaper.
"We want to reach a position of closure, and if there is no likelihood of a formal complaint against the players over the next 48 hours, I'm sure our legal team will be pressing the police to close the file. The allegations made are very substantial and it's unfair under any jurisdiction that such a situation should be allowed to continue. "As the players are so far from home, it's important that they should have the best legal advice. We have put that in place for them over the last couple of days, and they have our full support. They are very upset and frustrated at not being able to clear their names, but it's extremely difficult. People are trying to clear themselves of... what?"
