Hansen calls for end to Mad Mondays

Thu, Aug 4, 2016, 10:30 PM
AFP
by AFP
Steve Hansen wants an end to Mad Mondays. Photo: Getty Images
Steve Hansen wants an end to Mad Mondays. Photo: Getty Images

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has called for an end to "Mad Monday" celebrations after the Waikato Chiefs became embroiled in scandal following their exit from the Super Rugby competition.

"We should kick them to touch, we don't need them," Hansen said of the end-of-season partying which has become known as "Mad Monday".

The Chiefs, who lost their semi-final to the Wellington Hurricanes last weekend, were forced to apologise for homophobic chants recited during a gathering at a public hot pool.

Allegations have since emerged of improper behaviour with a stripper at the season-ending function.

"If it's true it's disappointing. If it's not true it's disappointing too because a whole lot of things are coming out of this which aren't great for rugby," Hansen said Thursday as the All Blacks gathered in Auckland for a two-day camp.

"The one thing I do know is that it's a massive lesson about Mad Mondays.

We should kick them to touch, we don't need them."

The names of the Chiefs players involved have not been released but Hansen said he had warned the All Blacks about their expected standards of behaviour.

"I'm very, very confident our All Black culture is up to scratch," he said.

"I've given (the players) a reminder that there's a certain way to behave."

The stripper, who gave her name as Scarlette, told Radio New Zealand the Chiefs' players were drunk, swore at her and touched her inappropriately.

"I made it very clear that I didn't want to be touched, even though I had a smile on my face it doesn't affect the words coming out of your mouth, that was just me maintaining my professionalism, trying to get out of there safely," she said.

"I had one of the players going through my phone, they proceeded to lick me in places that I don't totally agree with. I felt like I was pressured for that."

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