That little article about Australian rugby players and their drinking and gambling habits that I found yesterday has ruffled a few feathers it seems. The ARU and RUPA have both denied that there is any such problem, or problems, within Australian rugby.

The thing with surveys is that you can do anything, and I mean anything with the stats that come out of them. Heck, the structure of the questions, who asks them etc etc all have an impact on survey results anyway. Without having 'that' information, you really are just flying blind when you follow survey results - and that's for any survey in my opinion.

Personally I have NO idea whether any of the Super 12 Australian players have drinking or gambling problems. I don't think it's any of my concern either. What I DO know though is that it does seem to be stretching it a bit to think that someone with a serious drinking problem could be performing at the elite level in a chosen sport. Doesn't seem to sit... Drinking and gambling really can be hobbies you know, it's part of Australian culture - whether people agree with it or not :)

I'd say that whoever wrote that article that's caused the stink... but it doesn't any favours towards the furtherment of rugby....