Drug use challenged

National Rugby League chief executive Todd Greenberg has been accused of having his head in the sand by former ASADA boss Richard Ings over the prevalence of illicit drug use in the game. Ings, who headed Australia’s anti-doping authority, said Greenberg should be called out for stating that the use of cocaine and other recreational drugs was no more widespread amongst rugby league players than the rest of society. Greenberg made the comments after star New Zealand players Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Kevin Proctor and Jesse Bromwich as well as Cronulla club chairman Damian Keogh all faced illicit drug allegations within 48 hours. While the allegations against the four have not been substantiated, Ings said the use of cocaine and other drugs was widespread. He pointed to disgraced Wests Tigers player Tim Simona’s admission he used cocaine regularly and Ben Barba’s 12-week suspension.