Sleeping pills were involved when All Blacks Cory Jane and Israel Dagg were out drinking ahead of New Zealand’s 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina, New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew has confirmed.
Tew told media on Thursday that he believes Jane and Dagg were involved in a competition using sleeping pills to see who could stay awake the longest.
The pair were seen drinking in a Takapuna bar late on the Thursday before the All Blacks’ Sunday quarter-final against Argentina.
Tew said they were dealt with according to team protocols at the time.
“That issue was dealt with by team management and the leadership group in the All Blacks, and I remain comfortable it was dealt with appropriately,” he said.
“Sleeping pills came up at the time, but we didn’t have a major red flag about it particularly.
“If it happened now, with the apparent issue we have around sleeping pills and energy drinks, then we’d probably take a different course of action. But at the time it was not a hot topic.”
Prescription sleeping pills are in the spotlight because of growing concern in rugby league about their use in combination with energy drinks.
The “recovery practices” are under scrutiny in an NZ Rugby League review into the Kiwis’ unsuccessful defence of the Rugby League World Cup late last year.
Tew said he was unclear if energy drinks were involved in the 2011 episode “but I was not the person at the bar at the time and so I can’t tell you anything categorically”.
The NZRU had no immediate plans to ban sleeping pills, he added.
“We play a game that involves a lot of international travel and some people need assistance to sleep in the plane and when they get to where they’re going,” he said.
“To take that out of our toolkit I think would be a very big call. I wouldn’t be suggesting that right now, but we’ll keep all our options open.”
NZR recently announced it was establishing an integrity unit, following in the footsteps of high-profile Australian codes.
The unit, which is expected to be in place within six months, will cover all integrity issues facing players including match-fixing, legal and illegal drugs, and alcohol.
Chan Wee
Guest
@ Kuruki : actually using energy drinks (specifically RED BULL) with certain medications and types of alcohol is a very old practice. i was introduced to it like 30 years ago (though red bull is a recent invention there were other drinks , some local brands). before the invention of viagra, there were certain pills that were supposed to advance heart rate, which mixed with either coca cola or red bull would give highs in a short time (say the high u would get from a half bottle of gin) simillarly redbull and vodka (some call it a bull frog) or tequila or both are deadly drinks that make u very high quickly. i know of people who use viagra with red bull, for the same effect. the beauty is tht u dont have to drink the night away to get high (so that u can be in ur room at curfew and still feel like a bottle of rum is in u). however i remember reading somewhere recently that this type of mix can be very harmful , sometimes leathal.
zer0
Guest
"They both actually played outstandingly well in the next game from memory." They did. Jane, in particular, had a blinder when Australia thought it'd be a good idea to do nothing but kick the ball to the best aerial exponent in the world. It was probably the silliest RWC finals tactic since England lined up Rory Underwood against Jonah Lomu in '95.
atlas
Guest
Weepu stayed awake throughout the match, and kicked 21 points (NZ won 33-10)
Turnover
Roar Guru
Can make and throw a paper plane that bloke.
Turnover
Roar Guru
Can make and throw a paper plane that bloke.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
They both actually played outstandingly well in the next game from memory.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
No better time to do it while the heat is also on the other code for the same thing.
richard
Guest
More than likely.
Digby
Roar Guru
To get on the front foot i suspect richard before it is brought up by others
The Bleat
Guest
Another chink in the armour
richard
Guest
Crass stupidity by Jane and Dagg.But what is the point of bringing it up now?
Digby
Roar Guru
Has Izzy found that plane yet?
Turnover
Roar Guru
This was almost three years ago now. Shame it's come out. Izzy doesn't need any distractions.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
It's funny how this has only just become an issue, i have heard many a story about nights out on the mix. Energy drinks is a new one though, alcohol was the normal mix.