Rugby World Cup 2011
All Blacks duo in booze binge
ESPNscrum Staff
October 8, 2011
New Zealand's Cory Jane runs in for his try, New Zealand v France, Rugby World Cup, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, September 24, 2011
Cory Jane is at the centre of accusations of drinking and smoking in the run up to New Zealand's quarter final against Argentina © Getty Images
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All Blacks winger Cory Jane has been caught drinking and smoking in a busy Auckland bar just 72 hours before New Zealand's quarter-final clash with Argentina.

Jane - who was named earlier in the week in the All Blacks starting XV to face the Pumas - was seen along with injured fullback Israel Dagg in the Mac's Brewbar in Takapuna on Thursday.

Witnesses suggested the pair were slurring their words while Jane reportedly lit a cigarette in the bar - breaking the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 banning smoking in pubs, in force since 2004. Jane also reportedly waved $50NZL at the bar, offering patrons a drink, before stepping behind the bar.

All Blacks manager Darren Shand reacted angrily to the news. "They are the ones who are going to face the consequences now because they are going to be known - particularly across the country - as the guys who let the team down," he told the New Zealand Herald.

"That's what's most disappointing. That guys would do that in a week that we are affected by injury. It's not what we expect in this team, particularly not in players who are playing this week. This is it for us, do or die. Lose and we're out."

Shand said the players had been disciplined internally. "We don't have any policy on smoking or drinking, we just expect them to make good decisions. Clearly there is enough evidence out there from both sides to say they have let themselves down. Cory had better play a blinder."

A source told the Herald on Sunday: "Israel Dagg came over to talk to us but was definitely worse for wear. He wasn't very steady on his feet, his speech was slightly slurred and he was wavering a little. It wasn't as if he was about to fall over but there was no doubt he was (affected).

"I asked him where they had been that night; he looked blankly at me for a second before laughing and saying 'I've got no idea'. He didn't have a clue where they had been that night."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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