McKenzie's Rules for Wallaby Players

The following is a report on the issue:- "New Wallabies boss Ewen McKenzie made it clear that he will not tolerate ill-discipline as he laid out the responsibilities he expects his players to fulfill on and off the pitch. His hardline comments follow off-field behaviour by some of Australia's elite players which has overshadowed and undermined their sporting achievements. Several Wallabies, including Digby Ioane, Kurtley Beale and the brash James O'Connor have all found themselves making headlines for the wrong reasons. "I will make it quite clear about what I think is important to be a Wallaby and what that means, and the sacrifices you need to make," McKenzie said. "And in due course whatever players are lucky enough to get the opportunity to step up, they'll understand what I think and what's important." This included "wearing the right clothes and doing the right thing at the right time and turning up on time", he added. "It won't be too complicated but they need to understand the opportunity to play for the Wallabies is a purely representative one." Beale has been the most high-profile Wallaby to find himself in trouble off the pitch. He recently completed a two-week stint in rehabilitation for alcohol-related issues after being suspended for striking Melbourne Rebels team-mates Gareth Delve and Cooper Vuna on March 23. Then he and O'Connor were photographed out at 4am midweek ahead of the second Test against the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne. To compound matters, reports said the two were also spotted at a nightclub at 5.30am after the final Lions clash last Saturday, having missed the team bus for training the previous week. O'Connor was suspended and fined in 2011 for missing Australia's World Cup squad announcement after drinking all night. Without naming names, McKenzie said: "The only opportunity you get to play for the Wallabies is if the Wallabies coach chooses you to play, and to me that's a week-to-week contract. "If you're not doing the right thing at the right time, that week-to-week contract might not be there." It seems as if Cooper is over his main problems and he was according to media reports on good behaviour recently. He was very good in media liaison whilst in SA and when he was physically attacked recently he just laugh it off and did not respond. So he must be in good graces again. Ioanni is leaving for France - so he will not play for the Wallabies again soon. The "problem children" really are Beale and O'Connor. Much was said about the issue of their 4 am chicken buying and missing a team bus of the Rebels - but there is a later report that they were seen partying in Sydney the night after the third Lions test at 5:30 in the morning. Question obviously is - is Beale back on the booze? I cannot see how McKenzie can change his team on a weekly basis - it will disrupt the play of the team - so lets wait and see what he produces.

Sasue I never said anything negative about SBW - even though he should hopefully not get involved with boxing again. He Is a top player and the All Blacks will have to fork out a fortune to get him back. As to Bieber - I do think that the problem with him and Beale is one of attitude and perhaps a lack of respect for management. I do believe that the so-called newspaper reports are probably very suspect - as you said. I think the fact that the Rebels wants to part with him could be due to one or both of the following:- * Bieber must be a very expensive baby - and the issue of affordability have ben weighed up against what he delivers on the field of play. * There may be rifts in the team and some of the senior players cannot get along with Bieber and they could have given the Rebels - either Bieber goes or we go. It is unlikely whether the truth in this case will leak out soon - so we will have to wait and see what happens.