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SYDNEY - South Sydney's season of discontent reached new lows today with five National Rugby League players, including Kiwis international David Kidwell, sanctioned for failing breath tests at a recovery session.
Winless after seven rounds and fined in excess of A$70,000 ($84,276) for salary cap breaches, the Rabbitohs were forced into damage control today with Kidwell stripped of the co-captaincy, and Eddie Paea, Jaiman Lowe, Fetuli Talanoa and Ben Rogers all dropped for Sunday's clash with North Queensland.
New Zealander Paea was the Junior Kiwis captain last year while Auckland-born Talanoa is a Tongan international.
All five failed breath tests at Souths recovery session on Saturday following Friday night's loss to Brisbane.
Souths players had agreed to a zero breath-alcohol limit at the team's recovery session at the start of the season.
Kidwell is believed to have been saved from being dumped from the team altogether because that would have been viewed as a double punishment.
"The players set themselves a standard which the club agreed with ... and these players didn't meet these standards," Rabbitohs director of football operations Shane Richardson said in a statement.
"We want to point out that the players didn't cause any trouble, however as a club we take these standards very seriously and action has been taken to reflect our stance.
"The coaching staff feel very strongly about this as it goes to the heart of what we're trying to do here as a club."
It is the second time this year the Rabbitohs have dumped a player for failing a breath test after former international Shannon Hegarty registered the lowest possible blood-alcohol reading of 0.01 following the pre-season Charity Shield.
Backrower David Fa'alogo was on the receiving end of the side's new-found tough stance last month, when he was sent home from the club's trip to Florida following an altercation with a Jacksonville man.
Rabbitohs executive chairman Peter Holmes a Court said the decision to sanction the players showed the club was serious about maintaining high standards.
"We are seeking to be disciplined and professional in everything we do," Holmes a Court said.
"This action by the coach and the football department shows that we are serious about maintaining the standards set by the club and the players each and every week."
Coach Jason Taylor has promoted Dean Widders back into the NRL lineup at five-eighth for the Cowboys match at ANZ Stadium, with Issac Luke shifted from hooker to halfback.
Rookie John Tamanika will make his NRL debut on the wing, with Beau Falloon and Eddy Pettybourne added on the interchange bench.
Fullback Talanoa was already expected to miss Sunday's match after picking up a knee injury in the 18-32 loss to Brisbane.
Earlier today, the NRL announced Souths had been fined A$70,625 ($85,028) for breaches of the salary cap in 2007.
The Rabbitohs were the hardest hit of the six clubs handed fines, with the club saying it would be "reviewing its position with regards to the ruling and the severity of the fine".
- AAP
