Lions coach to defend claims in court
According to the Australian media, the 33-year-old Mongalo is alleged to have indecently assaulted a 26-year-old female staff member at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Coogee, on April 23.
According to the media reports the assault was reported to Maroubra Police on Friday, April 27 and he was arrested and charged on May 3.
Mongalo was granted conditional bail to appear in Waverley Local Court last Wednesday and is scheduled to appear again on Wednesday, June 20.
A statement from the Lions said Mongalo intended defending the charge.
"The [Lions Rugby] Company understands that Mr Mongalo intends to defend the allegation that has been made against him," the statement said.
"To that end, the company also understand that Mr Mongalo has retained legal representation in relation to the matter," the team said in a statement.
The Lions – who played four Super Rugby matches in Australasia – were still based in Sydney, following a 29-0 whitewash of the Waratahs the previous Saturday, April 20.
It is not known whether Mongalo travelled with the team to New Zealand. Police said he attended Maroubra Police station on May 3, where he was arrested and charged.
