Rugby Australia reprimands players over boozy flight as sevens cuts loom

All 13 members of Australia’s Olympic men’s rugby sevens team have been given a formal warning following “excessive drinking” on their flight home from the Games, as Rugby Australia prepares to launch a review of both sevens programs that could lead to significant cuts.

However, RA insists no rugby players were responsible for damage on the boozy flight, nor did they vomit in a bathroom while drinking with representatives of other sports.

All members of Australia’s men’s rugby sevens team have been reprimanded for their behaviour on a flight home from Japan. Credit:AP

Reports emerged earlier this week of athletes engaging in disruptive behaviour while returning to Australia after their Olympic campaigns.

The Australian Olympic Committee was informed by Japan Airlines of poor behaviour and asked all sports involved - notably rugby and soccer - to launch investigations.

The RA integrity unit found members of the men’s team left an apartment in Japan in a “messy, unacceptable state”. RA will reimburse the AOC for the cost of the damage. RA has effectively given all the players a slap on the wrist, even though all weren’t involved.

An RA statement said: “The investigation found that a number of members of the team were drinking excessive amounts of alcohol on JAL 51, while also being disruptive to cabin crew and other passengers on board the flight.

“There is no evidence that any JAL property was damaged or mess in seats, aisles or bathrooms was made by the men’s rugby sevens team.

“All members of [the] men’s rugby sevens team have been reprimanded for this behaviour. They have also been formally warned about their future conduct. Certain team members will also undergo education and counselling sessions regarding behaviour and alcohol consumption.”

A difficulty for RA is that the 13 players involved are off contract now the Olympics are over. Six are in the midst of contract negotiations to remain with the program.

However, major question marks remain over the future of both sevens programs, particularly given the return on investment after the performances of the national teams, which both failed to win a medal in Tokyo.

Senior officials are embarrassed by the latest unwanted headlines. Chairman Hamish McLennan is understood to be furious about the team’s behaviour on the flight.

Australia’s men managed to only beat South Korea in the pool stages before losing to Fiji in the quarter-final. The women’s side went from Rio gold medallists to exiting in the quarter-final stages.

While last year’s funding was skewed due to COVID-19, RA spent $5.36 million combined on the men’s and women’s sevens programs in 2019, compared to $9.67 million on the Wallabies in the same year.

The Herald understands a widespread review will take place to determine how much sevens should be invested in given the game’s poor financial predicament. Major reforms are expected.

Certain RA board figures will be assigned to address concerns over the sevens program.

“Rugby Australia has a zero-tolerance approach towards poor behaviour and expects the highest standards of conduct at all times,” said RA boss Andy Marinos. “It is without doubt that this will have a bearing on how we look at the sevens environment going forward.

“Whilst we acknowledge the disappointment experienced through their Olympic campaign as well as the challenging environment all athletes have had to deal with since the start of the pandemic, this is not an excuse for this behaviour.

“This behaviour is entirely unacceptable and not befitting any athlete who represents Australia or aspires to do so.”

Tom Decent is a journalist with The Sydney Morning Herald

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