Queensland players shaken up by James Slipper’s surprise cocaine ban, depth of personal problems

JAMES Slipper’s mental health issues and cocaine use have shaken his Queensland Reds teammates who were unaware of the depth of the problems he has spiralled with.

Reds captain James Slipper is dealing with some serious personal problems.

JAMES Slipper’s mental health issues and cocaine use have shaken his Queensland Reds teammates who were unaware of the depth of the problems he has spiralled with.

Reds captain Scott Higginbotham said it was “sad” to see a close friend going through such struggles when highlighting that Slipper’s welfare was the top priority.

Higginbotham and the Reds squad only discovered that the 86-Test prop had twice tested positive for cocaine in out-of-competition tests when Queensland Rugby Union chairman Jeff Miller spoke to them on Thursday.

“I’m sad, I’m sad for him,” Higginbotham said.

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“Obviously, we (as a team) are not well in terms of our mate being in a bit of trouble.”

Higginbotham said the Reds had still produced one of their best training sessions of the year on Thursday to prepare for Saturday night’s clash against the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium.

James Slipper has been banned for two months.

The 31-year-old Higginbotham tried to explain the shock at first hearing of Slipper’s situation and a suspension from rugby for two months during which time his mental health care is upgraded.

He said he had some awareness of Slipper’s difficult personal situation, with a serious family health problem, but no idea of any drug issue.

“What he’s going through is not what you want to see in a friend,” Higginbotham said.

“I think his close friends were aware of what was going on outside of football (with his health issues).

“Depression is a serious thing.

Teammates are rallying around Slipper, who is suffering from depression.

“You think you are a close enough mate, you think he’s explained everything to you and will tell you everything but that’s the circumstances it happens in.

“Slips likes to keep things to himself, likes to keep things on the inside, and that can be a problem.

“We didn’t have any idea.”

Higginbotham said returning to rugby wasn’t the big issue at the moment.

“You want the best thing for him...first and foremost for me and the playing group is his welfare and getting himself right mentally,” Higginbotham said.

Slipper’s mother has been battling terminal cancer since late last year.

The concern that Slipper found himself losing control and expressing some relief at being caught out paints the picture of a player in desperate need of the specialist support he is now getting.

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Originally published as Queensland players shaken up by James Slipper’s surprise cocaine ban, depth of personal problems