Rugby star dropped after failing alcohol test

"I don't believe my body deals with the de-toxing of alcohol as well as other people and I will be making further changes as to how I approach my recovery."

Scott Fave

Wallaby forward Scott Fave has been dropped by Western Force for Friday's Super 14 rugby match with Northern Bulls in Pretoria after failing an alcohol test, a team spokesman said yesterday.

Fava was detected with an alcohol reading above the level of 0.04 agreed by the team on the morning after Force's 22-3 win over the Western Stormers in Durban on Friday, the spokesman said.

Misjudgment

"It was a misjudgment on my part and one I regret," said Fava, whose alcohol reading was 0.043. "After my breach last year, I adopted an approach I thought would better manage my post-match re-hydration. Unfortunately, this was not enough."

"I don't believe my body deals with the de-toxing of alcohol as well as other people and I will be making further changes as to how I approach my recovery," he said. "I am part of the playing group which agreed to these protocols and I accept the consequences."

Fava will stay with the team for the remainder of the South African tour, the spokesman said.

Two other Western Force players Cameron Shepherd (0.047) and Haig Sare (0.044) also breached the protocol and, in accordance with team protocol for a first offence, they were fined A$500 (US$385), but they will still be available for selection to play the Bulls.

No compromise

Wayne Goldsmith, of the Western Australia Rugby Union, said his organization would not compromise its agreed standards, even if it meant leaving players of Fava's caliber on the sideline.

Goldsmith said the protocols had been revised at the end of last year and agreed to by the players.

"No-one has broken the law here, so let's put this in perspective. However, we have protocols which, while they don't stop the boys from enjoying themselves, they do aim to best prepare the players for the next game," Goldsmith said in the statement.