South Africa's Pierre Grobbelaar, Syd Eru of New Zealand and France's Stephane Millet were all suspended after failing tests carried out during the competition.
Grobbelaar and Millet were tested despite not yet playing in the event, while Eru, who had been named in the starting lineup against Papua New Guinea on Friday, was tested after the Kiwis' opening game against Tonga. Millet tested positive for cannabis, Eru for pseudoephe-drine, a stimulant and Grobbelaar for the anabolic steroid nandrolone.
"It is regrettable that these three players have failed their tests, but we are determined that rugby league throughout the world must be drug-free," World Cup tournament director Maurice Lindsay said Thursday.
French team manager Tas Baitieri said Millet was called up to the squad very late as replacement for an injured player.
"He had been at a party with friends on the Friday and thought he wasn't going to go the World Cup, but then he got the call-up the night before we left," Baitieri said.
"It's unfortunate he did what he did. It was out of character. We all know it's a social drug and is something he told me he has only taken on two occasions."
Meanwhile, on the field Western Samoa scored 10 tries as it crushed France 56-10 Thursday. The Samoans will now face Wales on Sunday for the semifinal berth from Group C.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.