Ewe ‘in hotel sex romp’

Press, 20 November 1989, Page 48

Ewe ‘in hotel sex romp’

PA Wellington A Kiwi rugby league player, Dave Ewe, was sent home after a sexual romp in the lobby of the New Zealand team’s York hotel, the “Sunday News” reported yesterday. It said that before the incident at the team’s English-based hotel, Ewe had been censured by the team management for offences which included urinating in the back of a taxi the night he joined the team as a replacement, long drinking bouts, physically threatening the captain, Hugh McGahan, and sleeping in the hotel lobby in a drunken stupor. The New Zealand Rugby League chairman, George Rainey, con-

firmed to the “Sunday News” that all the incidents had taken place and commented particularly on the alleged sexual romp involving a local woman, and the taxi incident Mr Rainey told the “Sunday News” that the Kiwi team manager, lan Jenkins, had raised both episodes with him in their discussions over whether Ewe should be sent home. “They were certainly two of the indiscretions that were mentioned. I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t indicate that to you,” Mr Rainey said. “It’s not the behaviour that’s going to make you friends anywhere. The taxi driver wasn’t exactly chuffed.”

Mr Rainey said he was asked his opinion by the tour management “When various stories were trotted out I had no hesitation in saying you don’t have any option but to send him home.” Ewe flew into Auckland airport on Saturday and immediately went to ground at his parents farm at Onewhero in the Waikato. Protected by Mr Rainey and security guards from the media 'upon arrival. Ewe issued no comment and his future in the game will be decided by the New Zealand Rugby League after hearing a full report from the tour management when the team returns home in three weeks.