We’re not bad boys
RUGBY NEW SKIPPER GETS TOUGH McKenzie denies drink problem at Gunners but vows to set standard
NEW Edinburgh skipper Fraser McKenzie has denied there is a drinking culture at the club but admits he wants his men to be more disciplined.
Richard Cockerill’s Gunners have been rocked by off-field controversy this season.
Magnus Bradbury has been stripped of the captaincy after being rushed to hospital when he was found unconscious on the pavement with a head gash during a drunken night out earlier this month.
And this week flanker John Hardie was suspended by Edinburgh and Scotland duty because of alleged cocaine use.
But McKenzie, 29, insists these are isolated cases but has vowed to set the standard for the younger players after taking over the armband.
McKenzie, who is preparing for Saturday’s Pro14 clash with Treviso in Italy, said: “Two isolated incidents have not helped. But I don’t think there’s a bad culture about the club.
“I don’t think we’ve got an issue with our standards. The players are not bad people. It’s mistakes and people learn from mistakes.
“We need to have a disciplined environment. Some players go out on a Saturday night after a game – the majority of players don’t.
“We’ve got a young side and young players have sometimes not been guided into this role. They’ve been NICK GRIGG has extended his Scotstoun stay to May 2020 after penning a new Warriors contract.
The 25-year-old centre joined Glasgow in 2015 and was named Players’ Player of the Year last term.
His impressive displays earned the Kiwi-born back his first Scotland call-up last summer and he made his Dark Blues debut against Fiji in June’s summer tour.
Grigg, who qualifies for the Scots put into these positions a lot younger than some people.
“The older players need to guide them into making good decisions and help them.
“We need to be tight knit. Our standards need to be high so they take the club forward and build the culture.”
Maggie is a fantastic person, a good guy – but he has made a mistake and thanks to a Ayrshire grandmother, has also been selected in Gregor Townsend’s squad for next month’s autumn Test series.
He said: “I’ve never experienced a team atmosphere like the one here at Glasgow. The banter and fun about the place as well as the hard work everyone puts in makes it a special environment.
“When I run out at Scotstoun I get a real buzz, it feels like home.” paid the price. I’ve no doubt there will be a positive reaction from him because he is a great player.
“I want to see him come back, prove a point and get back into the Scotland stuff.
“Eventually, Magnus will come back round and he will be captain for Edinburgh – and might even go further. But that depends on him making right decisions and learning from his mistakes.
“I think these events will help propel him into a better mindset, which will only help his on-field stuff as well.”
McKenzie revealed the players have not spoken to Hardie since he was handed a ban but insists the team will be there for him.
He said: “We were in Russia when the news broke and none of the players have talked to John since then.
“We’ve been told nothing and John will be supported by the team regardless.
“But there are consequences for everything. That’s outwith our hands. We just have to bide our time and focus on the playing side of things.”
GRIGG COMMITS TO WARRIORS