The South Sydney Rabbitohs have made an offer to pilot a new hair follicle testing regime for prescription drugs being used by NRL players.
This comes after two of their players, Dylan Walker and Aaron Grey, were admitted to hospital after a bad reaction to painkilling medication this week.
The NRL’s Head of Integrity, Nick Weeks said hair testing had been in discussion between the code’s governing body and the Rugby League Players Association for some months.
The NRL is conducts more than 2000 tests a year around the misuse of prescription drugs in NRL clubs.
Weeks said the NRL’s has more comprehensive prescription drug testing than any other sporting body in the country.
“It is clear, however, that there has been a major incident this week and it is appropriate that the additional measures proposed by Souths are initially trialled there,” Weeks said.
Under NRL rules, clubs cannot conduct their own drug tests in the interest of independent and transparent testing.
“So we will sit down and talk with Souths about the opportunity for the NRL and RLPA to oversee the operation and data collection from follicle testing of players at the club,” the spokesman said.
Mr Weeks said any trial would need the agreement of the RLPA.
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