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Rugby League

GB star makes the Long trip home

14/11/2006

Great Britain's half back Sean Long has arrived back in the UK after leaving the Lions side touring Australasia for the Tri-Nations tournament.

Long was instrumental in Great Britain's stunning 23-12 victory over Australia in their second game of the tournament, but was outplayed in the defeat to New Zealand.

Following the game, it emerged that Long had been drinking on the return flight from New Zealand to Sydney ahead of this weekend' clash with Australia, while some early reports from the tour suggested he may have been betting on matches.

Since then the GB camp have insisted that Long left the tour for "personal reasons", with the St Helens star, who has so far refused to comment, arriving back in Manchester today.

Coach Brian Noble played down the rumour surrounding the sudden exit, saying there were "no discipline problems, no gambling problems, no football issues".

"It would be silly to say he hadn't had a drink but this group have been exemplary tourists and there have been no issues in respect of alcohol and no issues in respects of behaviour.

"What was a minor issue on the plane sometimes in these situations gets blown out of all proportions.

"No complaints from the airlines and no complaints from anybody."


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