The Wallabies’ highest-profile casualty from their Dublin drinking capers, Adam Ashley-Cooper, admits Ewen McKenzie’s hard-line punishment needed to happen.
Now stunned to be appointed vice-captain to play France, Ashley-Cooper was among six players stood down in November after a night of boozing in the Irish capital four days before a Test.
At the time, the popular utility back was ropeable, with his mother relaying his dismay on Brisbane radio that he hadn’t done anything different to any other mid-week tour outing in his 91-Test career.
But Ashley-Cooper now looks back at the episode and the controversial one-match suspension as a necessary shake-up of team standards that has improved Wallaby culture.
“It was certainly something that was a learning experience at the time, and something that really needed to happen,” he told AAP.
“What was evident and clear was that Ewen was wanting to make change to the team and change for the better because the reality was we hadn’t achieved anything great for the last decade.
“Something had to change and that was just the catalyst or start of change and we all had to deal with it.
“Me personally, I dealt with it as well and was all for it. From then on we got on with the work and got on with what we needed to do.
“It was clear how we had to get on with things.”
Despite the disruption to the Spring Tour, with 15 players affected – including nine reprimanded – the Wallabies won their Tests against Ireland, Scotland and Wales to finish the year with four straight wins.
Ashley-Cooper’s sanction, along with fellow stalwarts Benn Robinson and Tatafu Polota-Nau, raised eyebrows as he’d been outspoken against the continued misbehaviour of James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale before McKenzie replaced Robbie Deans.
“That was an end of an era where we were at as a team,” he said. “That’s been put aside now and settled a lot.
“We’re starting to build a winning culture with four in a row.
“I think that will transfer into the French series and we’ll pick up where we left off.”
McKenzie showed this week he’s been quick to move on from the incident, naming Ashley-Cooper as deputy to new captain Stephen Moore.
“I was absolutely surprised,” the 30-year-old said.
hulkinator
Guest
The incident happened the week of the Ireland match but McKenzie suspended the players for the Scottish match the week after. It doesn't exactly send out the strongest message considering Ireland were much stronger on paper than Scotland.
Mike
Guest
I don't know about weasel words, but yhe French have a saying: "A woman never marries a man for his money; she always falls in love with him first". I am sure that after due consideration of the realities of the situation and his continuing desire to play for Australia, AAC now genuinely loves discipline, and genuinely believes that Link handled everything perfectly in Dublin. ;)
soapit
Guest
considering the amount of direct quoting from aac its a bit rich to allege journalistic weasal words. could it just be perhaps that one of the offenders genuinely disagrees with you about how it was handled?
Magic Sponge
Guest
Links team is an experiment and will change in game two
Brett McKay
Expert
What exactly are the weasel words, Bennalong, given the players themselves have admitted their mistake?
bennalong
Guest
A load of rubbish. Journalistic weasel words I was pleased to see Link recognise AAC in the way he did. It took two vice captains to do it. Of course AAC moved on. You don't take on the coach from a position of weakness if you love playing for your country. I moved on too. But I still believe that was an appallingly handled episode by Mc Kenzie Go the Wallabies By the way, I think Link's team selection was impressive, and a little brave!
soapit
Guest
i think adams mum and ewens mum got together in the off season and sorted the whole thing out.
Hopperdoggy
Guest
He's not the messiah now, he's a very naughty boy!
Highlander
Guest
I hope he cleared this position with his mum
pick & go..!!
Guest
It's great to hear that the group have moved on, also good that AAC has acknowledged his past mistakes. AAC is one of toughest pound for pound players in the Wallabies squad. Always gives 110%, & in his 91 test caps has always delivered with consistency in whatever position he played in for the Wallabies. True mark of a great player. Good luck Swoop..!!