Sources within the team have said the experienced duo were among those singled out at a players-only meeting after the quarter-final win against Scotland. At least five Kiwis players were involved across the tournament and in the meeting, some were "named and shamed" over use of sleeping pills and energy drinks and told it must stop. The Herald on Sunday is still confirming the identity of others.
The Herald on Sunday also reported last month that, during the World Cup, there were concerns about some individuals, with players confronted because of their appearance and asked if they had been drinking; some players looked 'dozy and half asleep' at the wrong time of the day.
"It is something that is on the agenda. It is being very seriously considered as part of our welfare considerations," NRL chief executive David Smith told the Herald on Sunday, asked about a new clause in the code of conduct. "We will do everything we possibly can to be as proactive as we can in these areas. [It is] one of many issues around welfare and we always think these things through carefully so we get the balance right - we will take it very seriously."
A final decision is expected in the next few months but it is understood that it is highly likely the clause will be introduced. That could mean players may eventually face fines or suspensions if found to be in breach - in much the same way current NRL players have been suspended for breaching a code of conduct on alcohol use.
The Warriors may introduce random testing for benzodiazepines this season along with existing testing already undertaken for recreational drugs. The tests are used widely at hospitals to ascertain what drugs a patient may have in their system.
"We are looking closely at it and think it may be something that is useful for us to do as a precautionary measure," says Warriors doctor John Mayhew. "It's not difficult from a pharmacological point of view to test for benzodiazepines and a number of clubs are proposing to do that. I think it will be a good thing and the club have been very supportive."
According to Mayhew, the Warriors conduct drug tests on their whole squad "six or seven" times a year randomly through the season. Any new test would simply be added to the mix.
Mayhew said Warriors' policy was to give sleeping pills to players only for medical reasons: "Our position has been the same for the last couple of years. We don't routinely give out sleeping pills to anyone - only for a strong medical indication when, for example, someone has broken a leg or had surgery and it is not unreasonable for them to have sleeping pills for the first couple of nights after surgery. Essentially our policy has been for the last few years that it is only dispensed when medically indicated."
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Rugby League review into the World Cup is ongoing, with NZRL chief executive Phil Holden confirming that any future misuse of prescription drugs in the Kiwis environment could ultimately result in the offenders losing the chance to represent their country.
"We are looking at a code of conduct [although] that has thrown up more challenges from an employment law perspective," says Holden. "It's a complicated one but we are working our way through it. Of course the final step - if we can't rehabilitate them to a certain degree or we can't work with them - would be non-selection."
