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Rugby union in top 4 Aussie sports for doping violations

Recreational drug use is again generating negative headlines about rugby (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The number of Australian athletes asked to ‘show cause’ for a potential doping violation has dropped by almost 40 per cent.

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The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority annual report revealed 19 people were issued notices in 2018-19 compared to 31 in 2017-18.

Despite the drop off there have been three high-profile doping cases in 2019, with AFL star Willie Rioli, NRL player James Segeyaro and Australian swimmer Shayna Jack all testing positive to a banned substance.

There were 22 athletes charged with doping in 2018-19 which accounts for show cause notices issued the year before. Four athletes took their case to the tribunal and all were found guilty.

The sanction for drugs varied, with a positive cocaine test resulting in a two-year ban, while testosterone boosters saw athletes suspended for up to four years.

Athletics, rugby league, rugby union and powerlifting were the worst offending sports with three athletes banned from each, while cycling and Australian rules football both had two breaches.

ASADA chief executive David Sharp said increased government funding in July 2018 helped raise awareness which led to fewer athletes doping.

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Mr Sharp engaged with 16 current and former Olympians or Australian representatives in 2018-19 to better understand the “pressures, temptations and challenges” athletes face.

– AAP

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M
MA 3 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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