Investigation into player behaviour clouds Wallabies Test preparations

[AndyS]

Maybe the ARU should just say "Nothing to see here, we were investigating a tip that some of our players had bashed Bastareaud, but they have alibis - they were in a casino in Melbourne, backed up by security video".

[laura]

Looking at the code of conduct by-laws there are really only 4 which apply to being out at 1am.

(d) to promote the reputation of the game and to take all reasonable steps to prevent the game from being brought into disrepute;
(e) not to engage in any Doping Practice as defined in the ARU’s Doping By-Laws;
(l) not to conduct themselves in any manner, or engage in any activity, whether on or off the field, that would impair public confidence in the honest and orderly conduct of matches and competitions or in the integrity and good character of participants; and
(m) not to do anything which adversely affects or reflects on or discredits the game, the ARU, any Member Union or Affiliated Union of the ARU, or any squad, team, competition, tournament, sponsor, official supplier or licensee, including, but not limited to, any illegal act or any act of dishonesty or fraud.

Of these it doesn't sound as if the players have broken any of these laws. They haven't brought the game into disrepute, they probably had a drink but that's not classified as doping, I highly doubt their behaviour would compromise the game or their character (most people have doubts about Lote anyway) and having a drink is not dicrediting the Union.

How many blokes on here can honestly say they wouldn't stay up a bit later on a Friday evening, have a beer or two and maybe go out. Wednesday night is their equivalent to a Friday evening. The fact that they went out is completely their choice and I wouldn't be suprised if some of the coaches went out for a beer or two as well. Yes they are in the public eye and do need to act responsibly but being out at 1am is hardly irresponsible for a few ~25 year old blokes. They could have got up to much worse things and to be quite honest I'm glad that they found a way to relax from their training and playing schedule. A pent up, stressed out player is likely to have a worse game than a bloke who has had the chance to relax a little an take his mind off the game for a few hours.

This article is a crock (no I dont mean crock pot full of daisies). They're just making a mountain out of a molehill!

[AndyS]

I am not sure it is the ARU code of conduct; I got the impression it was more the team code - a bit like the "drinking problem" that the media jumped all over, when Fava was suspended for a blood alcohol level that would have still allowed him to drive the team bus.

[Flamethrower]

As long as they're drinking Bundy or Tooheys there shouldn't be an issue.

[Burgs]

That's more what I'm talking about too Andy.

[James]

Wednesday night is their equivalent to a Friday evening.

After the game on Saturday night is equivalent to their Friday evening. Then they have 6 or 7 days before the next game and they can unwind. Wednesday at 1am is a bit over two days before they have to be at their absolute peak. Forget the fact they only playing Italy or the fact that some of them weren't playing. There isn't one rule for players and one rule for non-players and there isn't one rule for Italy and one rule for the All Blacks. There is one rule and that rule is there to ensure players don't take things for granted. Because as soon as they do they stop performing at their peak and if we want to win a World Cup thats where they need to be.

[Burgs]

Add to it that the ARU are now looking into allegations of a binge drinking session after the Test...

[Darren]

mm.. isn't the latest definition of "binge drinking" something like more than 2 standard drinks (ie. 1 pint) in a day

[GIGS20]

only if you've been abiding by the "less than 2 standard drinks" for a time before the session, otherwise it would be classed as alcoholism!

[TOCC]

only if you've been abiding by the "less than 2 standard drinks" for a time before the session, otherwise it would be classed as alcoholism!

apparently it's healthier to drink 2 drinks 7days a week then it is to drink 5 or 6 on a fri/sat night
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[Sheikh]

I know that there is a drinking culture - as opposed to an abstinance culture - both in Rugby and in Australia in general, but if I was playing in a Test against once of the top five sides in the world I probably wouldn't be out on the p*ss two days before.

While you or I may be able to down 6 pints and go into work the next day with minimal reduction in our ability, world class athletes get a smaler margin for error, and tend to take 2 days to recover (according to Bradley Wiggins after his Olympics endeavors).

I'm fine with them having a drink or two (or more) after a game when teh next game is next week, but not a couple of days before. Their Thursday off is to relax and get away from training, not drink themselves silly.

[TOCC]

I know that there is a drinking culture - as opposed to an abstinance culture - both in Rugby and in Australia in general, but if I was playing in a Test against once of the top five sides in the world I probably wouldn't be out on the p*ss two days before.

While you or I may be able to down 6 pints and go into work the next day with minimal reduction in our ability, world class athletes get a smaler margin for error, and tend to take 2 days to recover (according to Bradley Wiggins after his Olympics endeavors).

I'm fine with them having a drink or two (or more) after a game when the next game is next week, but not a couple of days before. Their Thursday off is to relax and get away from training, not drink themselves silly.

not sure about your maths of two days?

but if they went out drinking wednesday night and they played on saturday, i dont believe that is 2 days before a match.

[Burgs]

Well technically they were out Thursday morning so they wouldn't be recovering until Saturday morning

[The Man]

Red Herring and Non Story

[mudskipper]

It was a Hotel food fight between JOC, Quade Cooper and Josh Valentine in their room. The room had to be cleaned at an additional cost.... Schoolboy but not a big deal... Boys were fined by the ARU for being twits... story over...