Chiefs: We were not unruly at hotel
The Chiefs say they are not responsible for the alleged unruly behaviour at their Christchurch hotel after losing to the Crusaders in Saturday night’s Super Rugby Aotearoa final.
Hours after the 24-13 defeat at Orangetheory Stadium, the Chiefs held a private function on the second floor of the city’s Novotel hotel in Cathedral Square.
Guests claimed people were found naked in hotel corridors, keeping them awake all night and leaving a trail of broken bottles and vomit for staff to clean up.
One guest complained about players and supporters allegedly being ‘‘absolutely wasted’’ and banging on walls.
The Chiefs were based on the second floor of the hotel and received a complaint from a guest staying on the 12th floor.
Chiefs chief executive Michael Collins said none of their team or staff were staying on the 12th floor.
In a statement yesterday, Collins said their private function, which was attended by coaches, players, board, staff and family members, was held without incident.
He said, based on their inquiries into the complaints by guests, they were not involved but would continue to investigate.
‘‘We have thoroughly worked through the guest’s complaint and, in particular, the descriptions of the people involved,’’ Collins said.
‘‘While we will continue to investigate with our players and staff, we are confident that based on our inquiries to date none of our people were on the 12th floor or were involved in unruly behaviour that upset other hotel guests.
‘‘We are extremely sympathetic to the guests on the 12th floor who had their sleep disturbed on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
‘‘If the team were responsible, we would take immediate and swift action. At this point in time all the facts gathered suggest that we are not responsible.’’
A New Zealand Rugby spokesperson said they were aware the Chiefs had received a formal complaint and had spoken to the franchise.
‘‘The Chiefs are continuing to investigate the alleged incident, but at this stage we are not aware of any players or staff being involved in any unruly behaviour,’’ the spokesperson said.
‘‘We will continue to stay in close contact with the Chiefs as they look into the complaint.’’
On Sunday, the hotel’s general manager, Bradley Conder, told The Press it was unclear who was making the noise and that broken glass in the conference room and outside was not unusual.
He also said there was not any ‘‘significant’’ noise and declined to comment further.
Approached at Hamilton airport by Stuff on Sunday, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan said he was ‘‘totally unaware’’ of any misbehaviour at the hotel.
‘‘We had a private function last night and everyone was on the bus this morning, that’s all I know.’’
The Chiefs travel to Perth tomorrow for their first match of the Super Rugby trans-Tasman competition against the Western Force on Saturday night.
Their appearance in the Aotearoa decider was their first Super Rugby final since their last title in 2013. That was their second successive title after winning the 2012 Super Rugby decider.
The culture at the Chiefs came under the spotlight five years ago when a stripper booked for their end-of-season celebrations alleged she was touched inappropriately.
The Highlanders have also come under recent scrutiny. Last month, Dunedin residents said they were fed up by frequent alcohol-fuelled gatherings, claiming the neighbouring property of one-test All Black Josh Ioane was a notorious ‘‘party house’’.
‘‘The Chiefs are continuing to investigate the alleged incident, but at this stage we are not aware of any players or staff being involved in any unruly behaviour.’’
Chiefs spokesperson