Wallaby and Reds captain James Slipper tests positive for cocaine

Wallaby and Queensland Red James Slipper reveals a battle with depression as he is suspended after recording a second positive test for cocaine.

James Slipper of the Wallabies runs the ball during The Rugby Championship match between Australia and South Africa.

Queensland and Wallabies loose-head James Slipper has tested positive to cocaine use and been suspended for two months and fined $27,500.

The bombshell announcement was made by Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle in Sydney this morning that Slipper had been first tested positive in February, been put on a confidential rehabilitation program but then, even knowing he would be targeted by drug-testers, tested positive a second time last week.

Slipper was not in attendance at this morning's announcement. In a statement he revealed he had been suffering from depression for a year but acknowledged there was “no place for illicit drugs in sport’’.

“I take full responsibility for my actions and apologise unreservedly to my family, the QRU, Rugby Australia, my teammates, coaches and all rugby supporters,,’’ he wrote.

Slipper said he expected to make a full recovery. “I fully intend to be a better, more well-adjusted person,’’ he said.

pic.twitter.com/1CCSjraozc

— James Slipper (@JamesSlipper) May 24, 2018

Rugby Union Players Association boss Ross Xenos, who read a short statement, said the fact that even a player as highly regarded as Slipper had not come forward with his problem showed just how insidious mental health problems can be. “When even a player of James Slipper’s standing still does not feel confident to speak openly of his problem, it just shows the extent of the difficulty sports face.”

Castle said Rugby Australia was extremely disappointed to be in this position. “We are fully aware that James is dealing with very significant personal issues and we have been working with him since February on these matters. We are ensuring James is receiving full help and support including specialist medical treatment. James has sincere remorse for his actions and for placing himself, Rugby Australia and the Reds in this very difficult situation.

“It is an incredibly challenging time for him and his family and our immediate focus is on James health and well being while he undertakes an enforced period of absence from the game.”

Xenos said that when he first spoke with Slipper last week his reaction to being caught was one of relief. “He now has time to get himself right away from the daily grind of rugby,” Xenos said.

Slipper has played 86 Tests from Australia from 2010 to 2016 and after an injury setback last year he was set to make a comeback to Test football in next month’s series against Ireland. However, he will have served his suspension by the time of The Rugby Championship, though clearly he will take time to find his form again.

He has asked for privacy until he is ready and able to speak about his issues.

Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle.

Castle said that under Rugby Australia’s Illicit Drugs Policy, the first instance of the positive test remained confidential between the player, the RA Integrity Unit and medical staff. “This is treated purely as a health and welfare issue and the player is provided with the appropriate professional support and placed in a target testing pool,’’ she said.

“A second violation attracts a mandatory period of ineligibility and is referred to a drug tribunal for consideration. The tribunal conducted its hearing last Thursday here at RA building with James Slipper joining the hearing by teleconference. The panel consisted of Judge Mark Williams SC, of the NSW Supreme Court and a member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, barrister Mr Terry Willis and sports Mr Stephen Cotterell. The tribunal has now submitted its written report to RA ordering James to undertake a mandatory minimum period of ineligibility of two months and pay a fine of $27,500.’’

What made the news all the more troubling is that Slipper is regarded as one of the most stable rugby players in the Australian professional game and indeed he has served this year as the Reds stand-in captain on a number of occasions while regular skipper Scott Higginbotham has been sidelined by suspensions and injury.