Rugby Australia's debts blow out to almost $89 million after draw-down of PEP facility
Phil Waugh is hopeful that windfalls from the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour and the 2027 RWC will be more than enough to pay back the debt.
Paris French rugby club Racing 92 rejected rumours on Friday that three of their players, including former All Black star Dan Carter, had broken anti-doping rules in administering corticosteroids.
Responding to a report in French sports newspaper L’Equipe, which said traces of the drug had been detected in urine samples from Carter, another New Zealand player Joe Rokocoko and Argentine Juan Imhoff at the final of the Top 14 competition in June, the club said that the players had respected anti-doping rules.
“All the medical procedures practiced on the players and cited by the media were done with full respect for national and international anti-doping rules,” Racing said in a statement.
“This is related to treatment administered in an authorised method, provided in response to proven pathologies, multiple days before the Top 14 finale and not requiring a TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption),” the club added.
However, the New Zealand Herald quoted Simon Porter from the management group which represents 2015 World Cup winner Carter and Rokocoko as saying: “We have been aware of the issue for a few weeks. Our understanding and assurances we’ve had are all the documents around TUEs were in place.”
L’Equipe reported that the French Agency Against Doping (AFLD) ran surprise tests on players in Barcelona on June 25 as they prepared to compete in the Top 14 finale that saw Racing defeat Toulon 29-21.
Corticosteroids are forbidden during competition except for in special cases. The newspaper reported that the three players did not have TUEs.
Racing said that it collaborates fully with all medical investigations, and said that “transparency will be total.
“Dan Carter, Juan Imhoff and Joe Rokocoko are examples of everyday generosity, behaviour and ethics,” the club added.
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.
Phil Waugh is hopeful that windfalls from the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour and the 2027 RWC will be more than enough to pay back the debt.
Australian-born England rugby star Billy Vunipola has been tasered and arrested after an alleged violent incident in Majorca, local reports have said. Vunipola's domestic…
Six months after the Wallabies’ worst World Cup result, Rugby Australia has announced a $9.2 million deficit from the 2023 season. The Roar can…
Sometimes it’s best to start at the finish. The Waratahs winning the Super W final 50-14 against the Drua was the cap to a…
After watching both NRL and Super Rugby over the weekend, it's clear there is significant talent coming through from both. But only one of…
The Tahs won 50-14 after going through the 2024 season undefeated and avenging the semi-final loss last year to Fijian Drua.