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| England four in NZ assault probe | England four in NZ assault probe |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Four England rugby players are being investigated after an allegation of sexual assault, possibly of rape, Auckland City police have confirmed. | |
| The four players involved have declined to be interviewed by police over the claim at this stage. | The four players involved have declined to be interviewed by police over the claim at this stage. |
| No formal statement has been made by the woman who made what police called a "serious sexual assault allegation". | No formal statement has been made by the woman who made what police called a "serious sexual assault allegation". |
| The alleged incident was said to have occurred in a private room at the Hilton Hotel, Auckland, on Sunday. | The alleged incident was said to have occurred in a private room at the Hilton Hotel, Auckland, on Sunday. |
| It is claimed it took place early on Sunday, after England's defeat in the first Test against New Zealand. | It is claimed it took place early on Sunday, after England's defeat in the first Test against New Zealand. |
| Members of the Adult Sexual Assault Team flew to Christchurch where the squad is now based, hoping to talk to the four players, who have not been identified. | |
| The players concerned have the complete support of all the players and the management Rob Andrew England director of rugby | |
| But a police spokeswoman said the players had advised police, via legal representation, "that they are declining to be interviewed by police on the matter at this stage". | |
| She went on: "Auckland City Police will continue to investigate the allegation - that a woman was raped and/or sexually assaulted by four players - as thoroughly as possible before reviewing the file. | |
| "Any decision about where to take matters from there will depend on the outcome of that review." | |
| The spokeswoman said no formal statement had been made by the woman behind the allegations. | |
| "A formal complaint can be made at any time in the future and police are then obliged to assess the evidential basis of that complaint," the spokeswoman added. | |
| 'Complete support' | |
| The BBC's Nick Bryant, in Christchurch, said that under New Zealand laws the players were not obliged to speak. | |
| He said police in the country "say they are going to review the case and take matters from there". | |
| Earlier, director of rugby Rob Andrew said the England squad had been fully co-operating with police in the matter. | |
| "The players concerned have the complete support of all the players and the management," he said. | |
| The England team play the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday. | The England team play the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday. |