NZR independent complaints manager Steph Dyhrberg has called for alleged South African victims to step forward, as she begins her investigation into the Crusaders' Cape Town misadventures.
The senior lawyer has been handed the task of sifting through the fact and fiction around two separate late-night incidents that have emerged through social media over the past few days.
McDonald's patrons have accused wing George Bridge of "homophobic slurs" that reportedly escalated into physical intimidation, after the Crusaders' draw with the home-team Stormers on Saturday.
That accusation prompted a woman to post about a bar-room encounter with All Blacks first-five Richie Mo'unga the previous weekend, when he allegedly spat beer and groped her.
The Crusaders are taking both accusations seriously and have appointed Dyhrberg to carry out an independent investigation.
But she told Newshub that her probe would have limited results, if the complainants would not step forward - anonymously - to lay official protests.
So far, the only evidence against the players has come via social media.
"It is complex, because there are two sets of allegations and two, at least, potential complainants," she says.
"It's happened overseas, it's been talked about on social media, rather than receiving a formal complaint, so that does present some complications.
"It is what it is. It's how the issues have been raised and it's how a lot of things come to public attention these days.
"There's a lot of chatter, but being an independent investigator... you must decide how much weight to put on material that comes up in that way."
Dyhrberg doesn't plan on visiting South Africa to solicit testimony, but warns a fair outcome may be more difficult to achieve, unless the aggrieved parties contact her.
"It will be a more limited process if the complainants can't provide first-hand evidence," she told Newshub. "That might make it a more truncated process and put limits on my ability to make findings.
"I understand NZ Rugby and the Crusaders have reached out to them on social media, and I'm encouraging them to get in touch with us, if they wish to. They can go to the NZ Rugby website and there's a link to their complaints service."
Dyhrberg says she is working through the South African rugby union to obtain security footage from McDonald's and the bar in question, but she no powers to demand video is provided.
She estimates the process might take "a few weeks", depending on how many witnesses come forward.
"I'm not sure you're ever confident of getting to the truth of something," she admitted. "You make findings of fact and impartial findings of fact, based on evidence.
"I would make findings on the balance of probabilities - that's different from absolute truth. I think these things are relative."
In the meantime, Bridge and Mo'unga are both available for selection to play the Blues on Saturday.
Newshub.
Join us at 7:30pm for live updates of the Crusaders v Blues Super Rugby clash
