MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 01:25:42| >> :600:1105893:1105893:

James Horwill backs Ewen McKenzie over drinking bans

James Horwill backs coach Ewen McKenzie's decision to drop six players from the Australian side after breaking rules on drinking last week.

Former Australian captain James Horwill has shown his support for Ewen McKenzie's decision to suspend six Wallaby players who went out drinking in Dublin three days before their Test match against Ireland.

Adam Ashley Cooper, Nick Cummins, Liam Gill, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Benn Robinson will sit out the Aussies' encounter with Scotland, while Paddy Ryan will miss their visit to Cardiff to face Wales, a move that Horwill has suggested could be a positive step.

Horwill told AAP: "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.

"He makes tough decisions and that's the reality of the position."

Earlier this year, fly-half James O'Connor was stripped of his contract with the Australian Rugby Union and dropped from the national setup over his conduct.

ID:119013: cacheID:119013:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1786:
Written by
Chris O'Keefe
Restore Data
Share this article now:
James Horwill of Australia arrives for a training session at Latymer School on October 29, 2013
Read Next:
Horwill wants Australia captaincy back
>