18 Nov 2010

Wallabies checks help avoid drugs crisis

6:21 am on 18 November 2010

The Wallabies medical staff headed off the kind of crisis which has rocked South African rugby with a thorough review of the supplements taken by players following the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

The Games prompted a warning about the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine, commonly known as DMAA, after a Nigerian sprinter was stripped of a gold medal.

Nine Australian athletes from various sports, but not Games representatives, also tested positive.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority issued the warning after a spike in positive tests for DMAA, highlighting the risks of using supplements such as energy drinks.

Two Springboks, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson, have been sent home from the side's grand slam tour after their A tests came back positive.

South Africa's coach Peter de Villiers said his staff were frantically checking the supplements used by his players, a process the Australian side has already been through.

The Wallabies suspect the Springboks' problem was the result of an accident.