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New deal for 'Don't drink' Britain

Dave Hadfield
Friday 25 October 2002 00:00 BST
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As if facing the Kiwis in three Tests is not a sufficiently sobering thought, Great Britain will be sponsored in the series by the government's anti drink-driving campaign. The six-figure, one-year deal, the first of its type in this country, means the series will be known officially as the "Think! Don't Drink Drive Test Series".

"It helps to broaden our message on road safety to a large and wide audience," said David Jamieson, the Road Safety Minister.

Richard Lewis, the executive chairman of the Rugby League, said that there was no contradiction between the sponsorship and the backing of a brewery, Tetley, for the Super League competition. "I think it's very compatible and I've spoken to Tetley's about it," he said. "Any alcohol company would support the campaign. This association shows that rugby league is a responsible sport and that the Department for Transport recognises that we are influential."

Lewis added that the policy of not drinking and driving is to be added to the code of conduct that forms part of the contracts of its staff and its representative players. That means that anyone convicted of drink-driving would face internal disciplinary action as well, a move welcomed yesterday by the Great Britain player Paul Sculthorpe.

"As professional sportsmen, we have to be responsible. It's something I wouldn't do anyway, whether it was in my contract or not," he said.

Sculthorpe will be one of a nucleus of Great Britain players who will be missing from the St Helens side when the Super League winners play the New Zealanders tonight.

Sculthorpe will be resting a pulled leg muscle, on which he is having intensive treatment to make sure he is ready for the first Test on 9 November. Paul Wellens is out with a facial injury, Sean Long was seeing a specialist yesterday about a cracked jaw and Keiron Cunningham has a fracture in his hand. "They're all genuine injuries and I don't think it will detract from the occasion," Sculthorpe said. "It will give some other players a chance, which I'm sure they will seize."

Those other players are likely to include Stuart Jones, the second-rower signed this week from Wigan. The Kiwis are set to give their captain, Stacey Jones, and Bradford's Robbie Paul – a likely half-back combination for the Tests – their first games of the tour. Ali Lauiti'iti is available after a one-match suspension.

Huddersfield have secured Paul March and Darren Turner on new two-year contracts.

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