London – Australia coach Ewen McKenzie announced Monday that six members of his tour squad in Europe would receive one-match bans for “inappropriate” drinking.
McKenzie said wingers Adam Ashley Cooper and Nick Cummins; front-rowers Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson and Paddy Ryan; and backrower Liam Gill had all drunk so much in the build-up to the Wallabies 32-15 win over Ireland on Saturday they deserved a one-match ban.
The suspensions will be served in this Saturday's clash against Scotland at Murrayfield with the exception of Ryan, who will serve his suspension in Australia's final tour clash against Wales in Cardiff on November 30.
“Everyone in our squad is required to comply with and adhere to high standards of ethical conduct both on and off the field,” McKenzie said in an Australian Rugby Union statement.
“Those standards were compromised in the lead-up to Saturday's victory over Ireland with a group of players making the decision to stay out late and consume inappropriate levels of alcohol during the early hours of Wednesday morning.”
Ryan's delayed suspension is due to International Rugby Board regulations requiring each match day squad to contain at least four props.
With only five props chosen in Australia's 32-man touring squad, one of either Robinson or Ryan is required to participate in each of the upcoming Tests against Scotland and Wales.
In addition, McKenzie also sanctioned a further nine players for “breaches of internal team protocols”. – Sapa-AFP