28 Sep 2012

Under 20 player cleared by South African police

6:02 pm on 28 September 2012

The New Zealand under 20 rugby player Nathan Harris has been cleared of sexually assaulting a woman after the final of the under 20 world cup in South Africa in June.

The South African police have closed their investigation into the allegation and will not be prosecuting.

The New Zealand Rugby Union says South African authorities have advised the NZRU and Harris that the matter is closed.

Harris says the last three months have been a difficult time for him and his family and he's pleased and relieved to have been cleared and can now put the matter behind him.

The NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen says Harris has already publicly acknowledged that he breached team rules when he allowed a woman to come back to his room after the final of the Junior World Cup in Cape Town.

Sorensen says the NZRU considers Harris' actions in breaching the team rules to be misconduct, and the matter will be recorded as a warning on his file.

The NZRU now consider the matter closed.