Australia ban six players for drinking before Ireland game

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Australia ban six players for drinking before Ireland game

Australia have suspended six players for one match and warned nine more for drinking in midweek before Saturday's win over Ireland.

Wallabies coach Ewan McKenzie acted after "a group of players made the decision to stay out late and consume inappropriate levels of alcohol".

He said Australia's "ethical conduct" standards had been compromised.
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"I am disappointed on a personal level, but firm action is the best outcome "

Ewan McKenzie Australia coach

The banned six are Adam Ashley Cooper, Nick Cummins, Liam Gill, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson and Paddy Ryan.

Winger Cummins was among the try scorers in the 32-15 win over Ireland and fellow wing Ashley Cooper was also in the starting XV. Prop Ryan came off the bench with 15 minutes remaining while hooker Polota-Nau, prop Robinson and flanker Gill were unused replacements.

Apart from Ryan, they will all miss the game against Scotland on Saturday.

International Rugby Board regulations state that a team's 23-man match squad must contain four props, so tight-head Ryan will serve his suspension in the game against Wales in a fortnight.

Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Saia Fainga'a, Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps received written warnings after the night out, which stretched into the early hours of Wednesday morning, while Scott Fardy, Mike Harris, Ben McCalman and Nic White were given verbal reprimands.

It is the latest in a number of alcohol-related indiscretions involving Australia players.

See the rest of the article on the following link:- BBC

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