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The reputations of several Test stars have been unfairly and irreparably damaged in the wake of the Wallabies’ “Guinnessgate” affair, according to Rugby Union Players’ Association boss Greg Harris.
The ARU is set to have a fight on its hands over the sanctions handed down by coach Ewen McKenzie on a number of players after he said they ignored a team curfew after a “boozy” night out.
Harris says there are significant doubts as to whether the players involved broke team rules and has launched an investigation which could lead to the sanctions being challenged.
Six Wallabies, including starting wingers Adam Ashley-Cooper and Nick Cummins, have copped one-match suspensions for staying out late and drinking in the build-up to last weekend’s win over Ireland.
A number of others received official reprimands.
“I can’t see any logic or reasoning behind it. This makes no sense to me,” Harris told AAP on Tuesday.
“The industry is haemorrhaging money and you go out and do something like this that not only destroys, damages the reputation of the players involved but also the brand of your money maker the Wallabies.
“I have spoken to a number of the players and they are adamant there was no provisions about how much they could drink and there wasn’t a curfew.
“It is hard to hand down penalties when there have not been any guidelines set in the first place.
“There is the issue of accountability and contractual responsibility in regards to the players’ contracts and their code of conduct and there are significant doubts over whether they have broken those.
“Before we respond, we need to work out where they have taken action and what complies with the player contract.
“But I can say now it does seem a very harsh punishment.”
The issue is already drawing comparisons with Australian cricket’s “Homeworkgate” and Harris said his chief concern was with the players and whether what actually occurred warranted the action taken by Wallabies management.
“What’s become of these players’ reputations?” he asked.
“There is a big discrepancy between what actually happened and what was reported in the press.
“You see ‘drunk Wallabies’ splashed across the back page and they were nowhere near inebriated, they weren’t breath tested or anything like that. And they say they broke curfew when there wasn’t one set in the first place.
“These guys like Adam Ashley-Cooper, Nick Cummins, Benn Robinson will walk down the street and people will say ‘oh there are those drunk Wallabies’ when it couldn’t be further from the truth.”
RUPA released a statement on its website late on Tuesday in regard to the incident which read: “On the basis of the reports which RUPA has received to date there appear to be some inconsistencies with respect to compliance with these procedures and determinations.
“Accordingly, RUPA will be making its own enquiries in order to assess whether the appropriate processes have occurred and that the rights and entitlements of the players concerned have been accommodated.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.