It's too late for Rugby to hide behind cycling's drug infested culture

So word is out. After a 12 month investigation into the various sporting codes in Australia, results are shocking. Widespread use of banned substances exists, from banned supplement to connection with organised crime. Players, coaches, doctors; everyone was in the know.

You are probably now aware Lance Amrstrong and the US Postal Service cycling team used performance enhancing drugs. Armstrong said his team used all sorts of drugs, from testosterone to actovegin. To some athletes credits, they come clean; but to those who continue to try fool us, sooner or later the book closes.

 If a full scale investigation was launched into rugby, do not be surprised if rugby players are found to be taking banned substances (knowingly or unknowingly . The sheer brute physicality which each player subjects them self to week in, week out is mind boggling. Consider also the incredibly fast turn around times with recovery. A certain player suffers from a shoulder and pectoral muscle, only to return to training a few weeks; fitter, stronger and faster than ever. One rugby union player, who has suffered a severe injury in the same area twice, managed to come back into the sport, allegedly on nothing but a solid rehabilitation program. Another rugby player broke his arm and returned to the super rugby scene in three months. In no way does this mean any of them have taken banned drugs to aid in their recovery. Having such a good consistency in recovering from career ending injuries just raises a lot of doubt. There does however need to be more probing into to the two rugby codes.

AADA's tragic findings show that no one particular sport can be isolated. Isolating cycling as the only dirty sport is gratuitous. A great deal more skepticism is needed to unmask any cheats and liars. A lot of professional rugby is clouded in secrecy. If the veil is lifted off it (as it was in cycling), some truths may begin to surface.