Adam Ashley-Cooper: South Africans’ drug scandal won’t happen to Aussies
The drug scandal associated with two of South Africa’s best rugby players has shocked not only the rugby world, but the country. On Wednesday
17 November Adam Ashley-Cooper defended his side, saying it wouldn't happen to Australia.
“It's just common sense. Don't put anything in your system you're not sure of. And we have a lot of experience in our doctor and strength and conditioning coach to ensure that doesn't happen."
Bjorn Basson and Chiliboy Ralepelle were sent home from South Africa’s tour of the British Isles after they tested positive for the stimulant methylhexaneamine.
The two Springboks were caught in a post-match drug test after their Wales Test, but many have noted the stimulant is prevalent in nasal sprays, and is also present in nutritional supplements as well.
That might make it seem difficult to avoid, but Ashley-Cooper stated he was confident his national side’s organisation had reacted properly to avoid the same thing happening to the Wallabies. They’d got a
head start by taking precautions after the recent Commonwealth Games in Delhi had seen many athletes get caught with the substance.
“'We got word from our camp out of Delhi, so our support staff, including our doctor and strength and conditioning coach were straight on to the job. We had to list all the supplements we were taking, and
had to get them all checked out.”
The positive tests for the two Boks have dominated headlines surrounding the tour of multiple Southern Hemisphere teams to Europe, overshadowing some fantastic rugby, such as the Wallabies’ dramatic loss
to England and a tight scrap between Ireland and South Africa.
Springbok scrum-half Francois Hougaard told
The Scotsman that the news had made it difficult to focus on the matches ahead, and that the Boks were taking their own measures to prevent another controversy.
"We still don't know what caused this. I've never heard of that substance before. They've taken all our protein drinks away and now we can't even drink Cokes - we're off everything now."
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