The NRL conducted targeted drug tests on four Roosters players who were falsely accused on social media of taking illicit substances the night before their Magic Round game against Cronulla.
Why is the NRL reacting to baseless rumors on Twitter?
Why isn’t it supporting its players instead of subjecting them to suspicion and requiring them to take urine tests?
“It’s an abuse of power,” said Clint Newton, head of the Rugby League Players Association. “The players agreed to this policy, but if this is how it will be used, we need to reconsider it. This isn’t its intended purpose.”
On Friday night, prop Terrell May live-streamed an event on Twitch with teammates Brandon Smith, Spencer Leniu, Zach Dockar-Clay, and Naufahu Whyte. They were giving away jerseys, boots, and caps to fans, having wholesome fun before their match against the Sharks.
By Monday, a clip from the 89-minute live stream surfaced on social media, allegedly showing the players using illicit substances, presumably cocaine. As is often the case with social media speculation, it was false.
Because one player rubbed his nose and another licked his lips, people jumped to conclusions. A reporter even suggested on Twitter that a video of a prominent player with a white powder was about to go viral.
When the video made it to mainstream media, it was evident there was no white powder or any drug use. The players appeared sober.
The Roosters, understandably angry, issued a lengthy media release refuting the accusations, stating, “The clip reveals no use of illicit substances or any other breach of NRL rules.” They also mentioned their lawyers were looking into “defamatory statements” and potential “legal action.”
The club was surprised when NRL drug testers showed up at their training session on Tuesday to test four players from the video. Though the Roosters did not comment officially, sources confirmed that these players were specifically tested.
The NRL’s drug policy allows for targeted testing if there is information suggesting drug use, though this depends on the time of year. For instance, in 2021, Brandon Smith and two Melbourne Storm teammates were fined and suspended after a video showed them with a white substance, although they were not tested because it was off-season by a few days.
Similarly, in 2022, Newcastle Knights players were tested after a video showed them leaving a toilet cubicle together. Results of such tests are confidential.
More recently, Sharks players were tested following an incident where Braydon Trindall allegedly failed roadside drug and alcohol tests.
The NRL uses an independent laboratory for testing, maintaining that the process is at arm’s length and not influenced by the league itself. The policy aims to make testing unpredictable for players.
However, Clint Newton seeks clarification on when target testing is warranted. “Someone at the NRL needs to explain the criteria for a target test,” he said. “Anyone who says otherwise may as well call themselves Pinocchio.”
If Pinocchio were an NRL player, he’d be tested every week.