Former Samoan international makes bold claims about cocaine in rugby
Just last week the news broke that Wallabies star Karmichael Hunt had been arrested in Brisbane for the possession of cocaine.
Hunt was arrested and released by Queensland Police in the early hours of Saturday morning, with the 31-year-old set to appear in court January 29.
In a statement released Sunday, Rugby Australia said Hunt will be stood down from training and playing, including any involvement with Super Rugby outfit the Reds, during pre-season.
“Queensland Rugby Union, Rugby Australia and Karmichael Hunt have today agreed that it is in the best interests of all parties that Karmichael is stood down immediately from any team-related Rugby activities, including training and playing commitments,” the statement read.
“The parties are awaiting information from the Queensland Police pertaining to the circumstances of the recent allegations before any next steps or return to Rugby activities will be contemplated.
“Karmichael Hunt is cooperating fully with the Rugby Australia Integrity Unit and Queensland Rugby Union investigation and, given that this is an ongoing police matter, there will be no further comment from the parties.”
Hunt had been charged with cocaine possession in a previous incident back in 2015, where he received a $30,000 fine.
The versatile Australian is not the first person to have found himself in hot water over the drug, just last year fellow Wallaby James O’Connor and former All Black Ali Williams were arrested while attempting to purchase two grams of cocaine.
Former Samoan international Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, who had spells with both Bath and Gloucester in the English Premiership, responded to a tweet from Paul Williams, which said “Karmichael Hunt caught with sniff, again. Wasting/ wasted his career.”
Karmichael Hunt caught with sniff, again.
Wasting/ wasted his career.
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) December 30, 2017
In response, Fuimaono-Sapolu claimed that “loads of ballers do it,” primarily due to its low-calorie count when compared to beer.
“One beer has close to the same fat content as a Big Mac,” said Fuimaono-Sapolu.
“Cocaine has zero.”
“Dudes want the high without the fat.”
He also insinuated that the drug was rampant in Super Rugby circles, saying cocaine is used “heaps in super rugby including some of your favourite All Blacks.”
Youll find loads of ballers do it. Heaps in super rugby including some of your favourite All Blacks. One beer has close to the same fat content as a big mac. Cocaine has zero. Dudes want the high without the fat. https://t.co/BLKURUsRTv
— fuimaono-sapolu (@Eliota_Sapolu) December 30, 2017
Even more astonishing was his claim that we may have witnessed test matches where players have been under the influence of cocaine at the time.
Replying to a reply to his tweet which said “cocaine fuelled test matches would be interesting. Egos and bravado completely out of control…. I’d watch!”
“You’ve already seen them,” replied Fuimaono-Sapolu.
Youve already seen them.
— fuimaono-sapolu (@Eliota_Sapolu) December 30, 2017
79 times capped veteran Phil Waugh, believe it’s unlikely Hunt will play for the Wallabies again, given it’s his second offence in three years.
“The sad thing is that Rugby Australia and Cheika and the Reds really stuck by Karmichael when they probably could have thrown him out the first time, although it happened before they actually took him on board,” said Waugh.
“They picked him in squads that perhaps people questioned whether he should have been in.”
“He’s had opportunities that other players haven’t had.”
“It’s just a wasted opportunity for such a talented athlete.”
“There are so many other players who would just do anything to get this opportunity.”
“And they watch instances like this and they go, ‘why would you throw it away?”
“This is just poor behaviour and a bad choice.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments