Warriors dropped after drug use

Five of the six New Zealand Warriors players dropped from round nine in the NRL were axed because of mixing prescription drugs with energy drinks on a night out.

Manu Vatuvei, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Albert Vete, Sam Lisone and Konrad Hurrell were left out of the Warriors’ team that played St George Illawarra in the NRL.

Vatuvei, Matulino and Thompson were overlooked for the Test against Australia, while Lisone was stopped from playing for Samoa and Vete and Hurrell for Tonga.

According to reports, five of the players were partying on an evening out two days after the Warriors lost to Melbourne.

They admitted using prescription drugs with energy drinks.

Warriors managing director Jim Doyle released a statement on Monday reaffirming the club’s position.

“We’re continuing to deal with this internally focusing on player welfare,” Doyle said.

“We won’t be going into any details and we won’t be making any further comment.”