An independent report is warning rugby is at risk of losing its exhalted status and place in New Zealand culture because of player misconduct including sexual harrassment, violence, alcohol abuse and homophobia.
The Respect and Responsibility Review was commissioned by New Zealand Rugby last year after a woman hired as a stripper by the Chiefs said she was abused and manhandled at a boozy end of season party.
Auckland Grammar is one of the country's top rugby-playing schools. Its headmaster Tim O'Connor says problems with behaviour arise when young players are picked up by agents, who make the boys believe they're something special.
