WELLINGTON: The England rugby team closed ranks yesterday and refused to comment on the uproar surrounding a "serious allegation" against four players at a luxury Auckland hotel.

England captain Steve Borthwick spoke to the media in Christchurch but refused to comment on the police investigation, saying the team's attention was entirely on Saturday's second Test against the All Blacks.

"When you've got a game against the All Blacks at the weekend, the focus is clear," he said.

Borthwick referred any questions over the alleged incident - at Auckland's waterfront Hilton Hotel early last Sunday - to acting head coach Rob Andrew.

Police also declined to comment, although state-owned Television New Zealand reported that detectives did not get to question the quartet. The alleged incident occurred just hours after England were beaten 37-20 by the All Blacks in the first Test.

"It's an ongoing investigation and it will take its course," Auckland police communications manager Noreen Hegarty said.

Hegarty would not confirm that an allegation of rape had been made by a woman.

"Whilst no formal complaint has been made, we are co-operating with the police in their inquiries," Andrew said.

But a New Zealand press report yesterday quoted a woman who claimed about five women had returned to the Hilton with players after drinking with them at an Auckland bar early on Sunday.

The woman, who wanted to be named only as "Angel Barbie" said she had stayed the night with a player and continued sleeping when the team went for a swim and physiotherapy.

Later when they returned, about four players came into the room. One grabbed her bed cover and ran down the hallway.

"I think they were just sort of playing silly buggers and going round to all the rooms and seeing which girls were where," she reportedly said.

AFP