The row over England rugby player Mike Tindall's antics in a Queenstown bar is rumbling on after a decision over his appeal against a fine for misconduct was delayed.
The 33-year-old, who is married to the Queen's niece Zara Phillips, is appealing against the England Rugby Football Union's decision to fine him about $50,000 for his conduct on a drunken night out during the World Cup.
The hearing was due to be held at Twickenham on Thursday night (NZ time) but was reportedly moved to a secret location to avoid media attention and a decision was delayed.
Tindall was caught by a security camera in an uncompromising position with a blonde during a night out with team-mates in Queenstown.
The Rugby Players' Association described Tindall's 25,000 pound fine from the RFU, as "extraordinary'' and "unprecedented'', the Daily Mail reported.
It's just one incident that has left English rugby in turmoil.
Director of elite rugby Rob Andrew said the game had reached "rock bottom'' after the leak of three confidential reports about the team's World Cup failings.
The incident - dubbed 'Twickileaks' by the country's press - preceded the resignation of England attack coach Brian Smith and Andrew said he was "absolutely shattered by what's going on and off the field''.
"I'm saddened for English rugby,'' he told AP. "What is really sad for all of us in this is that we asked the players and coaches in good faith to give us their honest feedback, and that has been betrayed by somebody. That is unacceptable.''
One team member is reported to have said England's back play was "boring, uninventive, lacklustre, even schoolboy at times'' during the World Cup, when England were eliminated by France in the quarter-finals.
Another is claimed to have said he would be "delighted'' if Smith went''.
New Zealand-born England player Shontayne Hape, who played league for the Warriors and Kiwis before switching codes, refused to help with the review saying he didn't want to criticise his teammates.
"You just want to concentrate on playing rugby,'' the 30-year-old told the Daily Mail. "All this negative stuff that has come out is damaging not only to the players but to the supporters, too. It doesn't paint a very pretty picture.
"Personally, the disappointment was going out in the quarter-finals. Our bare minimum was to reach the semis. We've been there and done it and we can't change what's happened.''
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