Deposed Wallabies skipper James Horwill has supported Ewen McKenzie’s decision to ban six Test players and dismissed fears the heavy punishment will cause rifts in the team.
McKenzie has both been commended and criticised for slapping one-Test bans on the ‘Dublin Six’ who went out drinking into the early hours of Wednesday morning before playing against Ireland at the weekend.
Nine others were put on notice for also staying out on the town after separate team dinners.
As a result of the episode, McKenzie has also implemented an official midnight curfew and booze ban on the weekly Tuesday gathering.
While McKenzie said he previously made it clear to players they were expected to return home from dinner by 12pm and not indulge in more than two glasses of wine, the Rugby Union Players Association doubt such protocols were in place and are investigating.
RUPA boss Greg Harris labelled McKenzie’s hard-line stance, designed to improve team culture, as “very harsh” and illogical.
“I have spoken to a number of the players and they are adamant there was no provisions about how much they could drink and there wasn’t a curfew,” he told AAP.
“It is hard to hand down penalties when there have not been any guidelines set in the first place.”
Horwill, who served as the Queensland captain under McKenzie for four seasons and is on the RUPA board as a players’ representative, denied he had any issues with the coach’s strong actions.
The 46-Test lock said players needed to make better decisions and they now know there’re no grey areas when it comes to preparation and behaviour.
“Ewen has made the decision based on what he feels is best for the team and that’s what the head coach is there to do,” Horwill said.
“He makes tough decisions and that’s the reality of the position.
Horwill said the matter was not treated in an “off-the-cuff” manner, and players now understood what was acceptable.
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Nick Cummins, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson and Liam Gill will miss Sunday morning’s (AEDT) Test against Scotland while Paddy Ryan will sit out next week’s tour finale against Wales.
Ashley-Cooper’s mother Karen says the 90-Test winger is upset he’s been branded a boozer when his punishment was largely for staying out beyond 1am before a day off training.
Horwill, replaced by Ben Mowen as captain three weeks ago, denied there was a drinking culture within the Wallabies, nor discipline problems.
“Guys have made decisions and they’re being judge on those decisions,” said the 28-year-old.
Horwill, who wasn’t consulted by McKenzie about the punishments, unlike Mowen, said he harboured no concerns the fall-out of the episode would split the team.
