NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONALS Julian Savea, Cory Jane and Victor Vito are among five Hurricanes players to have been stood down for this weekend’s Super Rugby match against Queensland Reds, after breaking a curfew.
The Hurricanes revealed on Wednesday that a “small group of players” had breached team protocol ahead of a 32-15 defeat to Sharks on Saturday.
A statement on Thursday read: “Julian Savea, Cory Jane, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea and reserve prop Chris Eves were not considered for selection against the Reds after breaking the team’s self-imposed curfew.
“The five players were late back to the team hotel on the Tuesday night before the side played the Sharks and have been stood down for one match.”
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd added: “Though some people may not see staying out late as being particularly serious, the team set their standards very high this year and everyone bought into that at the start of the season.
“We have a great bunch of guys in the squad and this was an isolated incident, but there are certain lines in the sand and when those lines are crossed there are consequences.
“We don’t normally have curfews, but on the way to Africa the players decided in Sydney that, in an attempt to make sure we had a good tour, they would have a curfew imposed.
“Five players marginally missed their curfew. Once that curfew had been imposed, they were bound by the protocols of the team and the protocol says that they miss a game.
“The reason why they have been stood down is not alcohol-related. This is a one-out-of-10 offence with a 10-out-of-10 punishment, unfortunately, but the protocol is the protocol. If you don’t act on what you say, then some serious consequences will come back from it afterwards.
“The players involved know they made a mistake and I’m pretty confident they will be motivated to make up for that when they become available for selection again next week.”
Wing Wes Goosen will make his Super Rugby debut against Reds in Julian Savea’s absence, with Boyd stating: “He’s been knocking on the door since the pre-season and now he gets his chance. That’s what Super Rugby is all about.”
