Michael Crockett in try-scoring form for the Warriors last month. Photo / Kenny Rodger
Sydney police are investigating an allegation of sexual misconduct against New Zealand Warrior Michael Crockett, the National Rugby League club confirmed today.
Chief executive Wayne Scurrah said Crockett had denied the allegation.
Scurrah said the alleged incident happened away from the team's hotel and Crockett was the only
player being investigated.
"We have informed the National Rugby League and our major partners about the issue," he said.
"The club has assisted Michael in gaining access to legal advice. He has told us he strenuously denies the allegation."
The Warriors played in Sydney last weekend, drawing 31-31 with the Roosters on Sunday.
Crockett has been withdrawn from the Warriors' squad to play the Gold Coast Titans in Auckland on Saturday night.
Scurrah said that, after discussions between coach Ivan Cleary and Crockett, it was agreed that it was in the winger's best interests to have the next few days off.
He said the Warriors were fully focused on the game against the Titans.
Crockett, 23, joined the Warriors in the off-season from the Wests Tigers and made an impressive start for his new club, scoring four tries in his first two appearances.
Since then, he has spent stints on the sidelines because of injury and a two-week ban for a high tackle.
But he has been part of an unchanged Warriors side over the past four rounds and the match against the Roosters was his ninth of the campaign.
Scurrah's confirmation that Crockett was involved in a police investigation came after Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported that sexual assault claims had been made against an unnamed NRL player.
The Telegraph said a woman made a complaint to police in the inner city suburb of Redfern early on Monday.
It is understood the player allegedly met the woman while out with teammates, the paper said.
The pair were believed to have left the group some time before the woman went to the station to complain that she had been sexually assaulted.
A police spokesman said police were in the process of taking statements but no charges had been laid.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said the league was monitoring the situation.
- NZPA
