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By Ben Horne,
AAP
Updated December 9, 2013, 2:42 pm
The Wallabies' boozy culture has come to an end under new coach Ewen McKenzie, according to Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver.
Cricket Australia's line in the sand moment failed miserably earlier this year in India, but Pulver says McKenzie's decisive action on the recent spring tour had galvanised the team.
Pulver said he was consulted by McKenzie over the standing down of six players for breaking curfew in Dublin, and backed the national coach for his attitude to discipline and culture.
For a number of years, the Wallabies have been plagued by late-night incidents involving high profile players like James O'Connor, Kurtley Beale and Quade Cooper.
But since McKenzie took over from Robbie Deans as coach, action against O'Connor and then the `Dublin Six' indicates a harder line.
When CA stood down four players for the third cricket Test in Mohali in March, it bred distrust in the camp and brought about accusations of double standards, with coach Mickey Arthur eventually losing his job.
But Pulver said the ARU had no hesitation in making a statement over the difference between "right and wrong" and believes players have responded well.
"There's no question in my mind that elite athletes don't go out drinking after midnight on the week of a Test match, period," Pulver told AAP.
"They know that. I rate that as one isolated incident where there was an error in judgment.
"I don't expect it to happen again and for us to have serious disciplinary issues going forward.
"Just needed to make a point about what we found acceptable and what we didn't and that's been done.
"... The squad was certainly galvanised."
McKenzie said his action worked because it was "dealt with decisively and up front with no subterfuge."
The Wallabies won seven out of 15 Tests in 2013 and Pulver said that wasn't good enough.
However, he's confident Australia have the players and now the coach to topple the All Blacks.
"I don't think (this year) is a pass mark. But I'm very impressed with how Ewen's approached the job, focused on discipline, culture and individuals being accountable," he said.
"There's no lack of talent. I think we have the players to be the best team in the world. Now we've got to get the rugby program wrapped around fulfilling their potential.
"There's no silver bullet. Being Wallabies head coach is a tough job.
"We want to win and entertain."
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...labies-pulver/
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
What a load of ****
He had to suspend the players for being out on the town two weeks prior to the end of tour therefore the last week and a bit they behaved and beat only teams ranked below them.
Get real!
When we beat the All Black and Springboks on a consistent basis and have a sustained period with no indescretions we can start talking about positives and galvanisations
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
The All Blacks only beat teams ranked below them as well![]()
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
All of the Northern sides are ranked below us (were England above us at any stage?) hence why the 6 Nations should be renamed "The Best of the Rest Championship"
You can only beat what is in front of you and there is acknowledgement in that article that the Wallbies results this year weren't good enough
Bring on 2014
England were in 3rd and Australia in 4th when they played.
WARURA Referee
I do it because I love the game.
Well natural order has been restored![]()