Tragedy May strike Australian RL team during WC!

[Swans4ever]

With drug testers descending upon the Australian RL side prior to departure and ASADA's new powers it could be interesting what will happen should players be banned during the competition and may spell disaster!

ASADA wields its latest weapon to compel witness to give evidence
BRENT READ
THE AUSTRALIAN
OCTOBER 15, 2013 12:00AM
THE Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority has broken new ground by using its freshly-minted powers of coercion to compel a witness to provide evidence as part of the ongoing investigation into supplement use in the NRL and AFL.

The Australian was yesterday told a figure involved with the AFL side of the inquiry had been issued with a request for interview using the new powers, which were enacted on August 1.

Under the ASADA Amendment Bill, the anti-doping body was given the power to compel people to attend interviews and hand over documentation.

Those who refuse to comply face fines of $5100 for each day they fail to co-operate. It is understood the subject of ASADA's interest will comply with the request, thereby avoiding any sanction.

However, ASADA's use of its new power signals the latest escalation in the investigation, which began in early February and is expected to continue until the latter stages of this year, and possibly into 2014. For much of the year, ASADA has focused its energies on interviewing athletes and support staff, all of whom were required to co-operate as a result of their involvement with the AFL and NRL.


As such, ASADA had no need to use its coercive powers. That situation has now changed as ASADA zeroes in on figures on the periphery of the two sports.

Inevitably, questions will be raised over whether ASADA - having signalled its intent to use its coercive powers - will move on sports scientist Steve Dank.

It is understood Dank is yet to be contacted by ASADA despite the investigation centering on the period in which he was involved with clubs across both codes.

Regardless, he has already indicated he will take legal action should ASADA attempt to use its new powers to compel him to provide evidence.

"ASADA is unable to talk publicly about the specifics of its investigation until such time as its legislation permits," an ASADA spokesman said.

"This ensures the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of any individual under investigation is protected."

The latest developments came as ASADA descended on the Australian rugby league team, conducting drug tests only hours before the players were due to leave for the World Cup.

The players were shadowed at their base in Sydney before later departing for the airport and the long flight to England.

The presence of drug testers was a reminder of the shadow which will hover over all sides at the tournament.

Those concerns will be on the table again tonight when tournament organisers hold further discussions over contingency plans should any of the sides competing be affected by the investigation.

Under the rules as they stand, countries are not allowed to replace any players once the tournament begins. That raises the spectre of players being issued with infraction notices and nations being unable to replace them in their squads.

Australia coach Tim Sheens has raised his concerns with those in authority but he declined to discuss them prior to departure.

"My attitude is I am coaching the side," Sheens said. "I am not going to worry about what might or might not happen there."

Meanwhile, the NRL yesterday announced it had appointed Mark Wilson as its new chief financial officer.

Wilson, who will start on October 21, has spent more than 25 years working for some of Australia's leading public companies.

[NRLCrap1]

Oh this'll be good!

[Raiderdave]

:_<> :_<> :_<>


a snowball has more chance of sun baking then this occurring

so pull yr pants back up & put the tube of vass back in the medicine cabinet
K fumblers ? :_<> :_<>

[NRLCrap1]

Even money chance, Dave. Even money. ASADA is on the warpath and you know it.

[pHyR3]

who cares? it's a squad of 24, you'd have to have 5 people smashed by ASADA and then more than 2 injuries before Australia's bench was impacted. Even then, it's not impossible for a team with 16 to beat a team with 17. Like SOO I, NSW only used 16 players, Joshy Reynolds got 0 minutes, and they won quite easily.

[NRLCrap1]

Ah but what if the five players are five of your best? You don't know.

[pHyR3]

Well i support NZ in any case, so i don't really care what happens to the aussie team, but even with 5 of the best gone Australia are capable of beating any team. Whether they actually do it with 5 gone is another question, upsets from England/NZ are a lot more likely.

[ParraEelsNRL]

Well don't be bloody stupid and put $5 bucks on a couple of long shots, might be the easiest money you ever made.

[NRLCrap1]

I'll keep the fiver for two bacon and egg muffins at Hungry Jacks TY.

[ParraEelsNRL]

Yeah well Italy beat England this morning and the USA beat France, you just missed out.

Bahahahahahahahah, :<> :>::

[NRLCrap1]

Who cares?

[Swans4ever]

These results must be well hidden no news agency is showing it in Melb!

[pHyR3]

These results must be well hidden no news agency is showing it in Melb!

it's not massive news or anything, i never claimed it was. it's a good improvement from the shitshow that was 2000 RLWC. good improvement to 2008 and even better this year with almost 50k there for the opening ceremony in WALES.

the age has articles on it and herald sun too

[NRLCrap1]

Links please.

[pHyR3]

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/sonny-bi ... 2wb6r.html

from last night, was quite humurous to be honest. im sure he had a laugh too haha

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/t ... 6746635749

there's plenty more but i cant be bothered linking evry single one