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Members of the New Zealand Rugby League team are being investigated after a young woman claimed she was sexually violated by a group of men believed to be with the team.
It is the latest complaint to taint the sport's reputation, prompting concern from psychologists and rape educators
of an anti-female culture among players.
Wellington police said the complaint is alleged to have happened on Sunday night in Lower Hutt.
The team was based at the Angus Inn Hotel, Lower Hutt, from last Tuesday until Monday for the weekend's test against Australia, before heading to England for test matches against Great Britain and France.
Police would not reveal further details including how old the woman was or whether she had been assaulted.
Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Borrell said she was very distressed.
"A central focus of the investigation is to establish the identities of the men involved. Just who they are is not clear at this point.
"Our inquiry has only just started and we're still gathering all the relevant information. Given that the team is now playing overseas, it will be some time before our inquiry is completed."
Police are understood to have taken away bedding for forensic examination.
Angus Inn Hotel duty Manager Jamie Kirton said about 30 people with the team had been staying at the hotel and had checked out on Monday morning, the day after the team's test match against Australia.
The players would not have arrived back at the hotel after Sunday's game at Wellington's Westpac Stadium in the best frame of mind, having been thrashed by a record 58-0 scoreline.
Police spent two days interviewing staff at the hotel.
The Kiwis had already left the hotel when police made acting manager Kerry Parkins aware of the complaint, which did not involve a hotel worker.
Ms Parkins said she had had no trouble from the league side in the six days they stayed, and the police investigation had come as a surprise to her and her staff.
In her experience, poor behaviour was out of character for the Kiwis, who had stayed at the hotel before. She would be happy to have them back, she said.
The assault was alleged to have taken place in the team room, away from the hotel's bar area.
The Angus Inn has security cameras, though not in private areas, said Ms Parkins, who would not comment on whether police had asked to see footage.
The Kiwis flew to Britain via Malaysia to play three tests against Britain and one against France. They landed at London's Heathrow Airport last night where the team's media manager Richard Becht said the tour party would not comment further on the allegations.
Mr Borrell said the woman was violated by men "believed to be" with the Kiwis team. "A central focus of the investigation is to establish the identities of the men involved. Just who they are is not clear at this point," Mr Borrell said.
Sexual assaults have long dogged the reputation of the sport. Just last month New Zealand Warriors player Michael Crockett faced two counts of sexual intercourse without consent in a Sydney court. He denies the charges.