Australian Rugby
ARU employs disciplinary watchdog
Scrum.com
July 16, 2010
Australia team manager Phil Thomson talks to the media, Montpellier, France, September 1, 2007
Phil Thomson is the ARU's new disciplinary watchdog © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Quade Cooper
Teams: Australia

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has taken further steps to prevent lapses in discipline from leading players, installing a watchdog.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that widely respected former Police officer and Wallabies manager Phil Thomson will take on the role, which was brought into focus with fly-half Quade Cooper's recent appearance in court on burglary charges.

The Reds playmaker will face no further charges after mediation but Thomson will keep tabs on players, with his main concerns being player behaviour, their illicit drugs program and sports betting, with players and ARU staff banned from placing wagers on rugby games.

He will conduct any investigations into breaches before providing recommendations to the ARU.

''The experience I've had in 14 years team managing and 14 years before that in the police force puts me in a good position to take on the role," he said. "The role has a lot of scope and room for development, and it's good that we are being proactive in these important areas.''

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