Tew commits full support to rape investigation
26 Jun 2012
New Zealand rugby chief Steve Tew said they would assist the South African police’s investigation into a rape accusation levelled at a member of its U20s team in every way they could.
The player in question, whom the NZRU refused to name, had reportedly voluntarily offered blood samples, fingerprints and a statement before being allowed to leave. He and his room-mate are at the centre of the incident where a 22-year-old Cape Town woman claims to have been raped on Friday night after the Junior World Championship final. Tew said his information was the room-mate was not present at the time of the alleged incident. Furthermore claims that four men were present were completely unfounded.
Tew confirmed the player was with the woman and said he was ‘very upset’ at the allegation. He added the case is being taken ‘incredibly seriously’.
‘An allegation of rape is as serious as it gets so the team, both players and management cooperated fully with the authorities in South Africa,’ Tew told Radio New Zealand. ‘We did not leave South Africa until we had their permission to and if there’s any further assistance they require we’ll continue to cooperate fully.
‘I understand at least one player provided some DNA samples to police. It may have been two, it may have been his room-mate because that’s the obvious connection that was made.’
Although the woman had made the allegation, her statement was that she could not remember anything about the incident, including who the person involved was, according to information the NZRU had received from South African police.
Tew said advice would be sought if South African police needed to speak to players further.
‘We’ll have to work that through and we’ll take advice from our government, because these things become a little more complicated with international law but our cooperation will absolutely be there,’ he said.
‘We’ll certainly review the situation at some point in time but right now, our focus is on making sure the police in South Africa have all the information and assistance they require to make sure this investigation is concluded their way.
‘Clearly there are two sides that are very concerned about this and we need to make sure that they’re both able to draw a conclusion as quickly as possible.’
126 Comments
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26 Jun 2012, 09:45 am
Where there is smoke, there is fire.
This matter must not be allowed to dag on.
26 Jun 2012, 09:47 am
Oooooops that should read Drag on.
Suppose that one don’t count now.
8)
26 Jun 2012, 09:50 am
Nothing will come of this.
26 Jun 2012, 09:57 am
What an embarassing state of affairs for SA sport. We always seem to have these claims when there’s a famous sports people around, although I suppose the Baby Blacks are bottom drawer stuff, truly targets for the lowest of cons. Remember Sir Alex Ferguson also nearly getting his reputation sullied and instead of letting the “matter” blow up in the media he bought a car for the so called wronged party.
26 Jun 2012, 09:58 am
absolutely correct on their part.
right thing to do for all involved.
26 Jun 2012, 10:04 am
@cane(cane)-2:
it should be allowed to count for it’s subtle brilliance…
26 Jun 2012, 10:10 am
I’m gonna go ahead and say it…
What was she doing with the players in their hotel rooms in the first place?
I’ll leave it at that before I get my head bitten off.
26 Jun 2012, 10:14 am
@Spiesisworthless1(Spiesisworthless1)-4:
how can you blame SA sport for this????
was this chick an Olympic pole-vaulter?
Why would you hold South African sport accountable for the actions of arbitrary individuals who have nothing to do with it?
Eeeedjit.
26 Jun 2012, 10:16 am
nice
you’re in the running for a trophy there, caner…
26 Jun 2012, 10:17 am
you must be feeling like a stormer now
26 Jun 2012, 10:47 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-8: Yeah, touring sport teams that come to our shores always seem to have to contend with these issues. Even happened with the young argies rugby team. It’s embarrassing for SA sport, eeeeeeejit
26 Jun 2012, 10:53 am
@cane(cane)-2:
Briiliant!
Pity bout the fumble at the end.
26 Jun 2012, 10:54 am
Not sure what it all has to do with rugby?
It can’t even been considered a case of extortion since the Baby Blacks aren’t the rich Pros who are usually the target for such an attempt by the Gruppies?
26 Jun 2012, 10:55 am
@Spiesisworthless1(Spiesisworthless1)-11:
It’s bad for south africa fullstop.
The jocksniffers involved have nothing to do will SA sport.
They could be sports stars movie stars rock stars.
This s.hit happens all over the world.
Crikey but you are a dumb one JR.
26 Jun 2012, 11:05 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-7: I´ll go one further mate.
I would like to know (especially with U-20 level groups) what the &%·$ were they thinking having local girls in their rooms. As young ambassadors of their countries surely the last thing you want to do is go shag some unkown person in your hotel room in a foreign country. The possibilities of it blowing up in your face are HUGE.
Where is the control by the coaches and administrators? There should be 1000% strict policy of no-one but players and staff in hotel rooms. Gimme a break. It happens over and over again cos these mongrels cant keep their Johnsons in their pantsonians. Pathetic behaviour for people supposedly representing their country. Across the board … look at the english team in New Zealand during the World Cup. What it boils down to is no honour and no respect for oneself or your country.
Damn right what was she doing in their rooms … but asking her I think is pointing the stick in the wrong way. She isnt an international representative with a bright future ahead of her is she?
Pfffff. All are to blame but honestly – what were these morons thinking?
26 Jun 2012, 11:08 am
Dr Popps, ” I say, I say, Dr cane. Have you told that Bokke fan in Ward 9 that he is going to die yet”.
Dr cane, ” Yes Dr Popps, I broke the news to him this morning”.
Dr Popps, “Well Dr cane, you are nothing but a baarstard”.
Dr cane, “Why, someone had to tell him?”
Dr Popps,” I know Dr cane, …………………….but I wanted to.
26 Jun 2012, 11:09 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-15:
They had team protocols in place, which includes not allowing anyone except team members in your hotel room. The Baby Black management confirmed that these protocols were broken in this instance and disciplinary action will be taken against the player/s involved.
26 Jun 2012, 11:10 am
the classic part is the maximor advert placed appropriately just above the comments…
26 Jun 2012, 11:10 am
As Tew clearly states – “Our guys get a lot of advice in this area, we have team protocols in place,” he said.
“The fact that it appears a young woman was taken to one of the players’ bedrooms is a direct breach of that protocol.”
Only got themseleves to blame – especially considering the girl was drunk out of her mind. Thats called taking advantage of the situation.
We all do it to some degree or another during our lives but on an international tour of a foreign country. Theyre not rock stars who´s reputations it normally enhances. Get a grip.
26 Jun 2012, 11:12 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-17: yep agree fully – talk about stewped.
26 Jun 2012, 11:15 am
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-15:
Tew said, (on NZTV)
“In the changing room, immediately after the Final, all players were reminded of Team Protocol and of their responsibilites to their families, the team and their Country”.
26 Jun 2012, 11:21 am
@cane(cane)-21: I dont get it man – why go down that path? check out the list of dangers below
- illegitimate child
- possible rape charges
- paparazzi embarresment and jeapordizing your future career
- STD´s and in a country like SA possibly AIDS
- girl could be a psycho and make all manner and form of claims
- she could desperately be trying to get pregnant
- possible big brother or boyfriend who would want to take your head off
- embarrasment of your country and family back home
the list could go on an on – why in the world would you want to do that? Its better going back home and with the bit of cash you made go get yourself a prostitute on the quiet who aint going to cry rape. I mean really.
Kids nowadays are lacking in respect, honour and moral values.
26 Jun 2012, 11:23 am
@cane(cane)-21: and just to be clear – i´m not picking on the Kiwi kids at all – its a worldwide general problem. Very unfortunate and in no way a bad reflection on NZ rugby at all. Its one or two individuals that have done this.
26 Jun 2012, 11:36 am
Must say.
The NZRFU is being very open, transparent and professional in dealing with this. Well done.
26 Jun 2012, 12:02 pm
NZRU won’t unveil un-named U20 player.
New Zealand’s Rugby Union will not be naming the Under-20s player at the centre of rape allegations in South Africa, chief executive Steve Tew has said.
The player – and his room-mate who was not in the room when the alleged incident took place – have both provided DNA samples to Cape Town police as investigations continue.
Tew confirmed the player had taken a young woman to his room after a night out following New Zealand’s defeat to South Africa in the Junior World Championship final, which was against team protocols, but he refused to give any further details.
The player had given a statement to the NZRU and also police in South African.
The NZRU chief executive conceded the cloud of suspicion hanging over the whole squad was unfortunate but that it would be ‘inappropriate’ to put the player, who has not been charged, under massive public scrutiny by naming him.
“We’ve got a young man whose privacy is being protected. That’s what the police would want us to do,” Tew told a media conference at NZRU headquarters in Wellington.
“No charges have been laid. Nobody was detained in South Africa. He’s not been to a police station.
“To name him and put all that pressure on him would be inappropriate.
“The negative side of that is that the whole team is under some suspicion. But from my experience in those team environments they prefer to share that responsibility rather than hanging him out to dry.”
Tew said the player involved was ‘very upset’ but that the NZRU, U20s players and management would co-operate fully with South African authorities.
“Obviously we’re dealing with a very serious situation and we’re providing our team, and particularly the player involved, with appropriate support.
“But we’re also co-operating fully with any enquiries we get back from South Africa.
“One event like this is too many. We take it seriously and we’ll do what we can to sort through it.”
While clearly disappointed about the damage being done to New Zealand rugby’s image and reputation, Tew stressed that at this stage “we are still dealing with an allegation.
“No charges have been laid. No-one has been detained. No-one has even been to a police station,” he added.
“But the matter is serious and if it goes any further then that’s not helpful. It is now what it is and we’re trying to deal with it as professionally as we can.”
Tew also revealed that the players had been reminded of their responsibilities and the dangers of being in a foreign country on Saturday in the changing sheds. The team also had round-the-clock security as was the norm for New Zealand teams in South Africa.
“A lot of things are done but ultimately you can’t cover every circumstance because people make their own decisions.
“It’s obvious this young man has made a poor decision and he’s now dealing with it,” he said.
A full review of the whole campaign will be undertaken. “Clearly now there is a sharper focus on some of the stuff around that last 24 hours,” said Tew.
The player in question could also face sanction from the NZRU as well. “We will deal with that once this [investigation] has worked its way through,” said Tew. “It’s not helpful to throw that into the mix just at the moment.
“The team has only just got back from South Africa and we will sit down with team management and go through that process as we always do.
“There may be some discipline taken against the player but I don’t want to pre-empt that either. It’s not fair for him.”
26 Jun 2012, 12:45 pm
This must not go unpunished
26 Jun 2012, 12:53 pm
Where did this happen?
In: //Hui !Gaeb ?
26 Jun 2012, 12:57 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-27: yes, in David Kuiper
26 Jun 2012, 13:04 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-28:
Now you see … this raises the question for me once again: with exactly what mindset do these players come to Africa?
Do they think this is a land where you can simply take by force?
(For the record, I believe the SA female’s allegation)
26 Jun 2012, 13:04 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-26: so hes already guilty Sheriff? youve made your mind up on that?
26 Jun 2012, 13:19 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-30:
I think he is.
Its like asking: did Bryce Lawrence cheat in RWC 2011? You will prolly answer: he’s had better games, but the simple truth is this: he cheated quite deliberately
Players want to take advantage of the goodwill and favour they have in //Hui!Gaeb; it is incorrect to do that…
26 Jun 2012, 13:19 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-29: Based on what ? This is a nothing story in my opinion until such a time we have more clarity. The fact that its here as a story is really scraping the bottom of the barrel. Why is it here anyways ? Its not rugby related. Are you guys really that desperate for hits ?
26 Jun 2012, 13:23 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-25:
Could be any of those players who stick their tongue out when performing the Haka and think they are cool.
26 Jun 2012, 13:25 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-30:
Mate, what exactly do you wish to gain from visiting this site?
26 Jun 2012, 13:25 pm
@sparticus(sparticus)-32:
Based on gut feel and for me that’s sufficient.
How can it not be relevant? Is this a cricket or soccer player? The answer is an emphatic ‘no’ ; it’s a rugby player so I’m comfortable that the report is here. It concerns the rugby community.
26 Jun 2012, 13:28 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-35: if it was france, the guilty till proven innocent would apply and the baby blcks may well be shacked up on the champs ellisaie…
off topic, the players were treated like rock stars in the place where clouds gather
26 Jun 2012, 13:30 pm
@willievz(willievz)-34: the same thing you wish to gain with comments like number 33..
the sticking out of tongues is called Pukana, why dont you google it and become informed instead of making crass remarks about anothers culture,. but then that is the default option isnt it, to make derogatory remarks on something you have no understanding of..
thought you were a much better human being then that Willie? or so you profess to be..
26 Jun 2012, 13:33 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-37: Thanks, I did.
Honestly, I did not know that it is a good gesture. Where I come from, the sticking of tongues is considered rude.
26 Jun 2012, 13:34 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-37: in our culture, sticking out your tongues is plain rude…
26 Jun 2012, 13:35 pm
@Seven(Seven)-36:
Happy with the French way; as it is now: he/they are guilty
It’s not off the topic; it is that sort of treatment that obviously get NZ players to have an expectation that they can just do as they please when in //Hui!Gaeb.
Like true cheese and wine teams, they look forward to the snacks after the game and we have to say that this must stop. We cannot allow this any further.
It has to stop.
26 Jun 2012, 13:36 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-37:
that’s a bit potblackish of you pops.
i can’t think of any other poster on this site that makes more derogatory remarks on a country/culture of which he has next to zero understanding than you do.
26 Jun 2012, 13:38 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-40: i also agree with your gut….although the ‘victim’ did go there with albeit a certain amount of intention, she arguably never foresaw the eventual danger of being around whoever knows drunk, testosterone charged young men from society where drinking and unprotected *** is rife….
26 Jun 2012, 13:38 pm
the sticking out of the tongue during the Haka means that the players support Cannibalism … also if you translate what is said , it is something like this : “We will eat you and your parents” sick f*ckers – this NZ players is as guilty as can come!
26 Jun 2012, 13:40 pm
on google : The Cannibals of the Bush …. from side to side in the hideous grimaces of the pukana, and thrusting out his tongue to an extraordinary length.
26 Jun 2012, 13:42 pm
@grant10(grant100)-43: We dont know that they are.
What we do know is that you are guilty of raping the English language.
Sicko.
26 Jun 2012, 13:43 pm
@Seven(Seven)-42:
I think the lady in question prolly went there for a pic or 2 with her favourite player and we have to say that there is nothing wrong with that.
It is part of international rugby traditions and should remain unchanged.
However if the esteemed party then always look to take advantage, then this will also have to be relooked
26 Jun 2012, 13:48 pm
taahirah do you want a samoosa
26 Jun 2012, 13:49 pm
Hope it wasn’t that 135 kg prop with the dreads,he would of ruined her for life
26 Jun 2012, 13:52 pm
@grant10(grant100)-47: Id prefer a grammatically correct post from you.
26 Jun 2012, 13:52 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-46: okay sheriff, i defintately feel there was a certain amount of advantage taken…
however she definitely was looking for more than a picture, at that time, state and by yourself….
claremont and subsequently that 24hr woolworths and engen on a thursday, friday and saturday night after 1 o’clock is not a pretty sight…
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