Shamed World Cup captain apologises for behaviour

Scotland captain Danny Brough has apologised for the drunken behaviour that cost him his place in the World Cup, Scotland Rugby League chairman Keith Hogg has said.

Brough, who has led the Bravehearts in their last three World Cups, was sent home from the tournament along with team-mates Jonny Walker and Sam Brooks after they were too drunk to board a plane.

The three had carried on drinking into the night following Scotland’s 74-6 thrashing by New Zealand and were left behind in Christchurch as the rest of the squad flew to Brisbane to continue their World Cup campaign.

“It was obviously very disappointing that the three of them chose to continue drinking at a point in time when they clearly should have stopped,” Hogg said.

“It was not obvious until we got to the airport what the situation was but the airline had their rules and we completely supported them in their decision-making.

“It was something that developed very quickly but it’s important to stress that it was purely about the three of them.

“No members of the public were involved and there was no screaming and shouting, they had just chosen to drink too much.

“After we informed them of our decision they clearly took some time to react, for fairly obvious reasons, but it was very quickly clear that they were contrite.

“Certainly the best known of the three players was extremely apologetic when I talked to him on the phone last night.”

Brough has been the mainstay of the Scotland team for a decade, leading them to the quarter-finals of the 2013 World Cup and a surprise 18-18 draw with New Zealand in the 2016 Four Nations Series, and won a record 24th cap in the opening game of the tournament against Tonga.

The Bravehearts have conceded 124 points in their two games so far but could still reach the quarter-finals with victory over Samoa in Cairns on Saturday.

Danny Brough has apologised for drunken behaviour at airport.