Blake Ferguson's Japanese club rugby union contract torn up following drug arrest
Blake Ferguson has had his Japanese rugby contract torn up without playing a game after the former NRL star was arrested on suspicion of possessing illegal drugs.
Key points:
- Ferguson was arrested in Tokyo on December 30 and was allegedly found with cocaine after being searched by police
- A statement on the NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu website says Ferguson's contract was cancelled on January 2
- His former team was due to begin its season against Yokohama on January 8
According to local media, police were called to a restaurant in the Roppongi area of Tokyo on Thursday after 31-year-old Ferguson was involved in an altercation with another patron.
The winger, who left Parramatta at the end of the 2021 NRL season to try his hand in Japanese club rugby union, was searched at Azabu police station and allegedly found with the drugs — reportedly cocaine.
The 31-year-old, who won a premiership with the Roosters in 2018, signed with NEC Green Rockets, where former Wallabies mentor Michael Cheika is coaching director.
The club's domestic season in the newly renamed League One begins on January 8 against the Yokohama Canon Eagles.
But Ferguson won't be there, the club confirming in a brief, updated statement on Monday that Ferguson's contract had been cancelled on January 2.
It's not the first time a player in Japan's competition has been sacked over drug-related matters.
New Zealander Joel Everson served 23 days in a Japanese prison in 2020 after testing positive for the use of cocaine while playing for Hino Red Dolphins.
In a mark of how seriously rugby officials took the matter, all matches in the-then Top League were suspended for three weeks after Everson's arrest and the Red Dolphins cancelled all their remaining fixtures for the season.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is reportedly providing consular assistance to Ferguson.
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Canada beats Australia in the Rugby
Wallaroos beaten in Pacific Four finale by Canada
An undisciplined Wallaroos side has squandered a double-digit lead to lose 22-10 to Canada and finish winless in the Pacific Four Series.
Key points:
- The Wallaroos led 10-0 and still lost for the second time in the Pacific Four tournament
- Australia finished bottom of the four-team table behind Canada, New Zealand and USA
- Australia finished with 14 players after repeat infringements saw Madison Schuck sin binned
Australia finished the four-nation round robin tournament with one point at the bottom of the table.
Two Canada tries in six minutes either side of half-time on Saturday turned the game around in wet conditions in Whangarei, New Zealand.
A third try three minutes from full time gave the scoreboard a more realistic look as world number four ranked Canada dominated possession and territory.
They had twice as many carries and eighth-ranked Australia had to make 100 more tackles and gave away 10 more penalties.
Australia were down a player for the last eight minutes when reserve prop Madison Schuck was sin-binned, as referee Lauren Jenner finally lost patience after warning them for committing numerous infringements.
"We obviously came out very strong and in that second half we gave away too many penalties," Wallaroos captain and flanker Shannon Parry told Stan Sport."Canada is a quality team and they made us pay."
For the second time in the series, Australia couldn't hold on after leading 10-0 and conceded more than 20 straight points.
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The Wallaroos were always stretching against Canada in soggy conditions.(Getty Images: Fiona Goodall/World Rugby)The Wallaroos executed well from a lineout with hooker Ashley Marsters crashing over in the fourth minute from a rolling maul.
Winger Lori Cramer converted and added a penalty to give Australia a 10-0 lead inside 13 minutes.
However, they spent most of the rest of the half on the back foot and only dogged defence and some Canadian handling errors preserved the lead.
Cramer held up Canada prop DaLeaka Menin over the line, but the gold defensive wall was finally breached just before the break, when Canada hooker Emily Tuttosi scored in identical fashion to Marsters.
Captain and number 8 Sophie de Goede converted to ensure Australia held just a three-point lead at half time.
Canada halfback Justine Pelletier scampered over the line early in the second half after de Goede detached from the back of a scrum.
De Goede missed the conversion from in front, but Canada took control and Australia rarely threatened to score.
Australia withstood a 23-phase passage, but Canada were subsequently awarded a close range penalty which De Goede converted in the 64th minute and reserve forward Alex Ellis scored their third try just before the end."Massive credit to Australia, especially in this rain that was super physical and they came out swinging," player of the match de Goede said.
In the second half Australia struggled to maintain possession, fumbling on a number of occasions, as Canada continued to dominate.
Back rower Grace Kemp, who made her debut off the bench, provided a rare second half highlight for the Australians with one barnstorming run.
"I think there's a lot to take away for a young group, we've really come together over this tour, even though we haven't got the results," Parry said.
"We've learnt a lot about ourselves, I think it will put us in good stead come World Cup towards the end of the year."
Wallaroos beaten in Pacific Four finale by Canada - ABC News
