KEY POINTS:
New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) management says they are co-operating fully with police over sex allegations surrounding the squad.
But they and police refused to comment today on a report that five players were involved in the alleged sexual violation on a young woman at a Lower Hutt hotel on Sunday night, hours after the side was thrashed 58-0 by Australia at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
A Sydney Morning Herald story today quoted a staff member at the Angus Inn Hotel as saying five players were involved in the attack.
Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Borrell of Wellington police said it was inappropriate to comment as the investigation was only at they 'very early stages'
"There is a lot of speculation out there at the moment, but we're not dealing with that. We're dealing with the facts."
The Kiwis had already left The Angus Inn when police made acting hotel manager Kerry Parkins aware of the complaint.
The Kiwis are now in Britain to play three tests against Britain and one against France and not back in the country until November 21.
NZRL general manager Peter Cordtz confirmed police had informed management about their investigation but would not comment on the allegation.
"As this matter is in the hands of the police it would be inappropriate for any comment to be made at this stage," he said.
Mr Cordtz said the NZRL had not been informed of any details in relation to the investigation.
Kiwis media manager Richard Becht said from London today the tour party would not comment further on the allegations or how they were affecting the team.
Mr Borrell said the young woman at the centre of the latest incident was "very distressed at what took place".
"Our inquiry has just started and we're still gathering all the relevant information. Given that the team is now overseas, it will be some time before our inquiry is completed."
The assault did not involve a hotel worker.
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," he said.
Police had been in touch with the team's management but would not comment further, he said.
Ms Parkins told NZPA 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.
The assault was alleged to have taken place in a 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.
Police contacted the hotel on late on Monday morning -- the team left for Wellington airport at 6.45am, to catch a 1.50pm flight to London.
Ms Parkins said the Angus Inn often hosted sports sides.
- NZPA
