AUSTRALIA

Aussie `coach` in drug bust

Thursday 30th August 2007

Andrew Johns (centre) with the Wallabies

Rugby League great and one-time Wallaby kicking tutor Andrew Johns has lost any chance he may have had of joining the Wallabies in France next month after he was cautioned for being in possession of drugs.

Johns was arrested, but not charged by British transport police. His manager confirmed on Thursday that he was issued with a caution for possession of an ecstasy tablet in London on Sunday.

The drug bust happened during a routine search at underground railway stations, following the annual Notting Hill Carnival.

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chief executive John O'Neill has formally ruled out the possibility of Johns being involved in the Wallabies' World Cup campaign as a coaching consultant, saying that the ARU had not entered into any formal arrangements with the Rugby League great.

"It was highly unlikely that Andrew Johns was going to play a role with the Wallabies in the World Cup," said O'Neill.

"His involvement with the Wallabies in Australian-based training has to date been very much on an ad hoc basis.

"Given the current circumstances, the Wallabies squad will continue 'as is' in France and Wales."

Johns, the former captain of the Australian national Rugby League team, the Kangaroos, was the kicking tutor of the Wallabies ahead of the side's upset Tri-Nations win over the All Blacks in Melbourne in June.

The Rugby League star said that the tablet he was caught with had been pushed into the pocket of his jeans by an "unknown" person at a crowded club in London.

A statement from his management, the Fordham Company, said: "Following an interview with the police he was told the misdemeanour did not warrant being charged and instead was given an official caution."

It is believed Wallaby coach John Connolly was the key force behind the drive for Johns' involvement in the World Cup rather than O'Neill.