In less than three weeks back in the job ARU boss John O'Neill has seen two players ruled out of tests because of off-field incidents. Photo / Getty Images
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Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chief executive John O'Neill is already finding his tolerance for off-field incidents seriously tested.
Less than three weeks back in the job O'Neill did not hide his anger after hearing Wallabies fullback Julian Huxley had been ruled out of Saturday's Tri-Nations decider against the
All Blacks at Eden Park with a corked right-thigh sustained when he was tackled by Brumbies back Gene Fairbanks at a private party.
The incident took place following the Super 14 team's awards presentation night in Canberra on Saturday.
It is the second time this season a player has been ruled out of test duties due to an off-field incident.
Wing Lote Tuqiri was the first, after he was suspended for missing medical and recovery sessions following the Wallabies defeat of the All Blacks.
"We're extremely disappointed this has happened days away from a very important game. Players should not be putting themselves in harm's way," O'Neill told The Australian newspaper.
"It has been a long time since we have been in the running for the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup, and in the space of just over two weeks we have now lost two players for a crucial encounter due to avoidable off-field incidents."
A contrite Huxley admitted that had he iced his thigh immediately, he would probably have been available to play this weekend.
Huxley admitted he did not inform anyone of the injury until Sunday, while flying back to Sydney from Canberra with Wallabies soft-tissue therapist Delwyn Griffith.
Wallabies coach John Connolly was told on Sunday evening.
Huxley also realises the incident has not only cost him a chance of playing in the biggest game of his career -- and the most crucial match for the Wallabies since the 2003 World Cup final -- but that it has redirected public attention to the dangers of off-field incidents.
Asked if the Wallabies medical staff felt he would have been available for selection in the side to be named today had he iced his injury earlier, Huxley said: "They think so, yeah. They think the first 24 hours is the most important.
"Being new to the side, I was embarrassed about it and hoping against hope that it would settle down and I wouldn't have to turn up with egg on my face, so to speak.
"But I didn't report it as early as I should have. It was a lesson I will learn well."
Huxley's injury has forced Connolly to consider recalling Chris Latham earlier than he had hoped, after the fullback had spent six months out of the game due to a knee reconstruction.
The Wallabies team was to be named later today, giving Connolly a headache he could have done without.
"We are frustrated that seven days out from arguably one of the biggest games these guys will ever play that someone stays out late and puts himself in a position to get injured," he said.
- NZPA
