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Reds captain unaware of banned Slipper's drug habit
By Online Editors
Reds captain Scott Higginbotham has admitted he was unaware of teammate James Slipper's drug-related problems.
It was announced Thursday that the Queensland and Wallabies veteran had been issued a two-month ban and $27,500 fine from Rugby Australia after testing positive to cocaine twice this year.
Higginbotham said that while he knew of the prop’s mental health struggles, he had no idea about his drug habit.
“I’m sad for him; being a mate, what he’s been going through outside of football is not something you want to see,” Higginbotham told Fox Sports.
“You think you’re a close enough mate that he’d explain to you and tell you everything.
“But that’s the circumstances; he’s a cagey sort of person, likes to keep things to himself, keep them on the inside and we didn’t have any idea.”
Higginbotham denied a drug issue at the club. Slipper's suspension comes just months after fellow Red and Wallaby Karmichael Hunt pleaded guilty to Xanax possession after avoiding a cocaine possession charge.
“It’s not concerning... every person’s different aren’t they,” Higginbotham said.
Slipper is off contract at the end of the season. Higginbotham said would like to see him back on the field eventually.
“You want the best thing for him; first and foremost he has to get himself right mentally, sort out these off-field issues,” he said.
“Once he’s done that and ready, that’s when he’ll play.”
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Latest Comments
Which people exactly?
Go to commentsWas anything but fine margins, the scoreline was flattering for that game. They were beat in every margin but most emphatically be effort of Argentina. They were slow and likely arrogant in their prep following the England series. You can see the effect on the selection and poor messaging all the playmakers started receiving from the coaching setup there after.
Otherwise though there was also a lot of really good stuff that can too easily be labelled as lucky by people intent on making a point. The team was far from certain and clinical though and the best that can be said of their losses was that they were largely due to some atrocious decisions with cards twice against SA and the neckroll last weekend (you can't take away the 14 point try, that is typical French rugby and to be expected).
This team is good enough to be able to cope with those sorts of difficulties if they could just execute a bit better (but only as well as they have traditionally mind you). Sound selections aside. Some good positivity in this article but we know it's not going to be easy as the ABs have just been trying to return to their DNA after Fosters control but countries like Aussie have a much bigger task in that respect and SA is even trying to change their DNA (again). Those two opponents (along with France obviously) are going to provide some tough competition in seeing who can lead into the 2027 RWC with the best prospects and form behind them.
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