A passenger has described the behaviour of British Test scrumhalf Sean Long as ”objectionable and rowdy” on a flight during the Tri-Nations rugby league series in Australia, reports said on Thursday.
Passenger Matthew Russell told the Daily Telegraph the St Helens’ scrumhalf was ”yelling, screaming and carrying on” during the flight from Wellington to Sydney after last weekend’s 34-4 Tri-Nations Test loss to New Zealand.
Long sensationally walked out of the Lions’ camp this week and returned to England before Saturday’s must-win Test against Australia in Brisbane.
Russell said several British players apologised to him during the flight for Long’s behaviour.
Lions coach Brian Noble told reporters this week Long left Australia to be with his pregnant wife and not because of any alcohol-fuelled incidents.
But Russell said: ”[Lions centre] Keith Senior came up and asked whether we [Russell and his fianceé] wanted to move seats.
”We took up the offer because we didn’t think it would get any better for the next three hours.
”He [Long] was pissed. He was warned by the hostess after he tried to tip vodka into his water bottle. He was pretty rowdy and objectionable.”
The passenger said Noble had a chat to Long during the flight.
”But I must say the rest of the Great Britain side’s behaviour was exemplary,” Russell said. – AFP
