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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Long leaves GB Tri-Nations tour | Long leaves GB Tri-Nations tour |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Great Britain's Sean Long has flown home from the tour of Australia and New Zealand, with coach Brian Noble denying reports of disciplinary problems. | Great Britain's Sean Long has flown home from the tour of Australia and New Zealand, with coach Brian Noble denying reports of disciplinary problems. |
| A team statement said Long, whose partner is heavily pregnant, had returned home "for personal reasons". | A team statement said Long, whose partner is heavily pregnant, had returned home "for personal reasons". |
| But the BBC's Dave Woods says there are allegations that Long broke a team alcohol ban on a flight on Sunday. | But the BBC's Dave Woods says there are allegations that Long broke a team alcohol ban on a flight on Sunday. |
| Noble said: "We've allowed him to go home at his own request. There is no disciplinary issue." | Noble said: "We've allowed him to go home at his own request. There is no disciplinary issue." |
| News conference: Great Britain coach Brian Noble | News conference: Great Britain coach Brian Noble |
| Team officials say that no replacement will be called up for Long, who was outstanding in Britain's 23-12 win over Australia in Sydney last week. | Team officials say that no replacement will be called up for Long, who was outstanding in Britain's 23-12 win over Australia in Sydney last week. |
| Early reports from Australia claimed that St Helens half-back Long had been accused of gambling on matches in the Tri-Nations series. | Early reports from Australia claimed that St Helens half-back Long had been accused of gambling on matches in the Tri-Nations series. |
| But Noble said: "On the subject of gambling there will be lots of stories coming out, but that's completely away from the truth. | But Noble said: "On the subject of gambling there will be lots of stories coming out, but that's completely away from the truth. |
| "His wife is about to give birth and it's been weighing on Sean's mind quite heavily." | |
| Woods said that Long had been seen inebriated on the flight from Wellington to Sydney, the day after the Lions had been thrashed 34-4 by New Zealand. | Woods said that Long had been seen inebriated on the flight from Wellington to Sydney, the day after the Lions had been thrashed 34-4 by New Zealand. |
| But Noble said: "There were no bollockings dished out yesterday on the plane. My views were known, their views were known. That was the end of the matter." | |
| Britain need to avoid defeat against Australia in Brisbane this Saturday to make the Tri-Nations final. | Britain need to avoid defeat against Australia in Brisbane this Saturday to make the Tri-Nations final. |