Rugby team cleared of sex abuse claims

Wellington: An investigation into allegations a stripper was sexually assaulted at a Waikato Chiefs' function has cleared the players, but their conduct remains a "black mark", New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said yesterday.

NZR chief Steve Tew welcomed the findings but said the fact that the Super Rugby players thought it was appropriate to hire a stripper in the first place had left his organisation "deeply embarrassed".