Rugby Australia has confirmed they are investigating allegations of poor behaviour from the Australian men’s rugby sevens team on their Japan Airlines flight home from the Tokyo Olympics following complaints from the carrier.
Details have not been released but there have been allegatiuons of drunken behaviour.
“Rugby Australia has been made aware of incidents involving the Australian men’s sevens program after being informed by the Australian Olympic Committee,” RA said in statement.
“Rugby Australia has begun its own internal investigation into the matter based on the information provided by the AOC.
“Rugby Australia expects the highest standards of all its employees, modelling the values of our game – respect, integrity, passion and teamwork.”
The allegations come on the same day Australia team boss Ian Chesterman said some Australian athletes left Olympic village rooms in an “unacceptable” condition.
Amid reports that cleaners had to mop up vomit, Chesterman confirmed a hole was left in one wall and that Australia’s emu and kangaroo mascots went missing in the Games village for several days.
“There was some damage in the rooms and some were left messy,” said chef de mission Chesterman, who on Tuesday reported no disciplinary action would be taken against Australian athletes who had prompted a COVID-19 scare by mingling with other residents inside the village.
“I consider the damage minor. The rooms were not trashed in any way.
“I want to focus on the fact that some people have made a mistake and had left the room in conditions that we thought were unacceptable.
“It was unacceptable because people had to move into those rooms afterwards.
“It’s a matter of a small number of people making a mistake and they’re going to have to live with that.
“I’ve had expressions of great remorse from a number of athletes who were involved in these incidents.
“They feel disappointed they have contributed to this conversation about behavioural matters in a team that has been exceptional on and off the field.”
Chesterman said causing damage to “very flimsy” room walls in the village was not difficult to do.
“There was a hole in the wall, but that’s pretty easy to do,” he said.
“I understand there’s some big people and some very flimsy walls, temporary walls as well. I don’t think you had to do much to put a hole in the wall.”
Chesterman denied claims that he had to apologise to Great Britain officials for the behaviour of Australian athletes.
“I saw the chef de mission of the GB team at the equestrian last night and there was no discussion on any need for an apology.
“I don’t think there would be any need for an apology.”
On the once-missing mascots, Chesterman added: “It’s been a mystery and there was a bit of a search for them.
“We were just about to get the ‘Wanted’ signs around the village and post a reward for their return.
“I’m pleased to report they are back in place and home. I think they went missing around the 28th, turned up again last night and understand they enjoyed a pleasant holiday in Deutschland.”
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Haven't defended them but agree will cease discussing now that you are making it personal. All the best.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Hugh_96 - you are embarrassing yourself by defending these d # c k heads. Childish logic, give up, you're unprofessional.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Maybe in the short term there is a consequence but League players are always forgiven and then picked up by another club., they have unusual standards. It's nearly impossible for a player to be be punted from the game, especially if they are a quality player.
sheek
Roar Guru
Monorchid, Obviously personal responsibility doesn't rate. I'm a bit dumbfounded there wasn't a single person on that plane that didn't try to pull these buffoons into line. Maybe there was & maybe they were ignored. Anyway, thanks to the selfish antics of these idiots, every other returning planeload of Aussie Olympians will be a 'dry' plane. So they can thank the selfish, inconsiderate rugby & soccer players if they can't get a drink.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
I support you BM. My aunt is Japanese, and I was a long-standing and pretty awful judoka (1st Kyu only). We are disgusted with this behaviour.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
True Sheek. No argument. But what about individual responsibility? I've been known to like a drink or three over the decades. And like many Roarers, I've done quite a bit if overseas travel. But also like many Roarers, I've behaved myself. These mugs should not need minders at their age.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Monnrchid, they should be charged, it would be interesting what happens, teh japanese are too polite to complain officially as the wouldn't want some major diplomatic incident to come of it, however they are looking to the Australian officials for some reprimand/ punitive action.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
If they were subjected to the same standards as League players they would have been stood down immediately, fined $50,000 each and lost their rep honours.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
I heard, that it is outrageous, it's big news in Japan.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
If you hear what they had done and how they carried on, you'd want them to be stripped of all rep duties.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Phil - this is absolutely disgraceful, these rugby players representing Australia should be charged and stripped of any future rep duties. My wife is Japanese and she was saying how until this incident the Japanese were in awe of the politeness and friendship displayed by he Australian athletes in Tokyo. This incident has shocked them, I was told that they trashed the joint, and that on the flight they were throwing up everywhere, trashed two toilets rendering them unusable, were vulgar, rude and out of control, forced their way to the alcohol fridges, just grabbed everything they could. It is a total embarrassment, the airline or the Japanese Olympic committee did not want to make an official complaint as they knew it would turn into a diplomatic issue, the Japanese are too polite. Absolutely disgusted in their behaviours.
sheek
Roar Guru
So there was no-one on the flight, a team manager, a team coach or support staff, or a player of character & integrity, that wasn't able to stand up & tell the perpetrators to pull their heads in? Sad, very sad.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
I read about this event in my local paper online today. The players were basically exonerated for damage to the room in the Olympic village. And it seems that they were not alone on the plane with their regurgitating behaviour. It's been reported that there were members of another team too. Both mobs are supposed to have been raiding the galley for more booze. Now many Roarers have travelled overseas, and the AFP would have been waiting for us on the tarmac with handcuffs and paddywagons if you or I had behaved this way. I'm waiting for an official release pointing out how young these buffoons are; how they've expressed so much remorse; and how the learnings will be noted going forward.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
... and they are too dim to understand they have just reminded the taxpayer precisely how they regard that generosity! They can "Pearce off, Jack" for mine.
Paul
Roar Guru
nah,just being d***heads.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Maybe they thought they were league players :laughing:
Marcel
Guest
Other media outlets reporting they made a real mess of the toilets on the plane.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Judging from their poor performances on the field, this is not surprising. They're on a junkett.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Get Erasmus to put a video of the flight together showing other passengers breaking rules and blame long standing bias against 7 man rugby in Australia. It’ll all be fine