ENGLAND TO NEW ZEALAND, 2008
England were in a major state of transition when they came to New Zealand for two tests in June 2008. They had appointed former captain Martin Johnson as coach, but he wasn’t available to start in the role until later in the year – which meant RFU director of rugby, Rob Andrew, was put in charge on an interim basis.
As a result, the tour felt like it had the potential to be a disaster. It wasn’t Johnson’s squad that were coming and Andrew knew he was holding the fort as it were. So for the players, there was only uncertainty and confusion about their longer term selection prospects and a feeling they were in a state of limbo.
That much became apparent when they were thumped 37-20 at Eden Park. It was an easy win for the All Blacks – they were too good for England in all areas. It was a demoralising loss for England, who showed how far behind they were in regard to skill and conditioning.
The real problems began the next day, however, when a police investigation was launched after allegations of sexual assault were made against some players.
In a flash, the English tabloid media were on the plane to Auckland and the squad were under siege. Headlines, salacious and wild, appeared around the world and it was a week of hell for the players.
They were hammered 44-12 in Christchurch and while the New Zealand police investigation didn’t come to anything, a separate one by the RFU did.
Topsy Ojo was fined £500 and reprimanded after he was found to have stayed out all night, while Mike Brown was fined £1,000 and reprimanded after also staying out all night and arriving late for a physiotherapist appointment.
This was the outcome after a report by Judge Je Blackett, the disciplinary o cer of the Rugby Football Union.
While his report exonerated the players in regard to the sexual assault allegations, Blackett did say: “The image of England rugby has been damaged by some of the press reports and speculation. While many media commentators have been measured in the way they reported the allegations, some of the press speculation has been irresponsible and wildly inaccurate.
“It is the irresponsible reporting which has done more to damage the image of England rugby rather than any actual events themselves and I hope that those responsible will redress the balance in reporting these findings.”