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Ben Mowen put himself on an booze ban this year, as he went from Super Rugby journeyman to Test rookie and now Australia skipper.
Mowen, who supports coach Ewen McKenzie’s controversial stand to suspend six players for late-night drinking in Dublin.
“I can’t mix alcohol and performance, I know that, I can’t do it,” the No.8 revealed before this weekend’s Test clash with Scotland.
“I didn’t drink for the first seven or eight months of this year, because I knew that for me, to get the best out of myself as a footballer, I can’t do it.”
Mowen, who took over from James Horwill as Wallabies captain at the start of their European tour four weeks ago, led the Brumbies to the Super Rugby final in early August.
The 28-year-old said his self-imposed alcohol ban ended briefly at the end of his debut Test series, a 2-1 series loss to the British and Irish Lions in early July.
Booze has been in the rugby spotlight after McKenzie punished 15 players, nine with reprimands, for staying out into the early hours four days before their 32-15 win over Ireland.
Mowen, who went from Queensland to NSW to the Brumbies before finally getting his international call-up, felt a social drink and celebrating wins helped bond teammates but admitted it didn’t work for him.
“I know that because as a young bloke I did used to drink and think I could do it, and I can’t,” he said.
“I just don’t get results on the field, I don’t play good footy when I’m drinking, so I just have to avoid it.”
In contrast to speculation of a team divide, Mowen said the whole episode has seen the 32-man squad draw together tightly.
He said suspended players were naturally quieter than normal this week but had stepped up in helping the team prepare for the Scottish Test.
“They’re hurting for a lot of different reasons and are also paying a pretty hefty price for that and they need support as well,” he said.
“We are a squad and it’s important that when blokes have a bugger-up we help them through as a side.
Mowen conceded the Wallabies were now setting a “higher standard than society sets”, but that was required to go from No.4 in the world to potential World Cup champions.
“So the challenge is going to be getting guys right out of their comfort zone and establishing some pretty big behavioural change,” he said.
“The bluntness of that shows this week.
“As tough as this period has been for us as a group, it going be something we reflect on … and say this was a really important stepping stone.”
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.