Allegations ‘unsubstantiated’
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and the Crusaders have announced an inquiry has found allegations into behaviour of two Crusaders players on tour in South Africa last month were ‘‘unsubstantiated’’.
Allegations against All Blacks wing George Bridge were ‘‘not upheld’’, the two bodies said in a joint statement yesterday.
Accusations about Richie Mo’unga’s behaviour in a Pretoria bar were also ‘‘not substantiated’’ , but the inquiry found the All Blacks first fiveeighth’s response to a complainant ‘‘was not consistent with New Zealand Rugby’s values and expectations’’.
The Crusaders were accused of behaviour breaches in two separate incidents in Pretoria and Cape Town in May.
A woman alleged Mo’unga spat beer at her and her friends in a bar in Pretoria, where the Crusaders beat the Bulls on May 11 (NZ time).
Mo’unga messaged the woman on social media the day after the alleged incident took place, saying ‘‘I’m not aware that I did that. Obviously was intoxicated and should’ve gone home long before that stage’’.
The allegations from Cape Town arose after some Crusaders visited a McDonald’s outlet in Long St after their 19-19 draw with the Stormers at Newlands.
The accused players were outed on social media by two people at the restaurant saying their behaviour was ‘‘physically intimidating’’, alleging they made homophobic slurs, limp wrist gestures and adopted high pitched voices.
Crusaders players and management strongly denied the accusations.
But Crusaders and New Zealand Rugby officials launched an official inquiry on the team’s return home.
NZR head of rugby Nigel Cass said in a statement yesterday that NZR’s independent complaints service manager Steph Dyhrberg had assisted NZR in carrying out a thorough and comprehensive investigation into two separate allegations against Bridge and Mo’unga, which NZR took into account in reaching its decision.
Cass said Mo’unga acknowledged he had been drinking on the night when the complainant approached him with an allegation to which he responded in a way that was poor, but which NZR accepted was out of character.
‘‘The way he responded to the complainant was inconsistent with NZR values and expectations, and he has acknowledged this and subsequently apologised.
‘‘We feel that he has learned some valuable lessons and we are satisfied that he will not put himself in the same position again in future. We have made our expectations around behaviour clear to him. He has been reminded of his obligation to be a role model for the sport at all times, especially when approached by members of the public – even in a social setting,’’ Cass said.
Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge said: ‘‘For us, this is not just about two members of our team; we all need to take some responsibility for this and learn from it.
‘‘That is why we are reviewing our policies around alcohol and social media use to ascertain if our existing policies are robust enough and make changes if needed.’’