Shepherd's cup dream lives on
NICK TAYLOR SYDNEY, The West Australian
February 8, 2011, 6:51 am
Western Force star Cameron Shepherd's dream of playing for the Wallabies at this year's Rugby World Cup is still alive after he received a suspended two-match ban from the Australian Rugby Union last night.
He was also hit with the maximum $15,000 fine for a code of conduct breach and ordered to undergo further counselling in the wake of a second drink-driving offence.
The suspended ban, which is in force for 12 months, means Shepherd is free to play for the Force this season.
He appeared before the ARU's code of conduct tribunal yesterday.
Shepherd, who has had a two-year horror run of injuries and is hoping to break back into the Wallabies squad this year, may have jeopardised some of his lucrative private sponsorship deals after his latest run in with police and appearances in court and before the ARU tribunal.
The 26-year-old was fined $2400 and banned from driving in Perth Magistrate's Court last week.
It was his second appearance in court for driving in excess of 0.08 and driving under suspension
He would not comment after leaving ARU headquarters in Sydney where he has been training with Force teammates for Thursday's pre-season warm-up against the Waratahs in Nowra.
However, Force chief executive Vern Reid said Shepherd had been dealt with in an appropriate manner and RugbyWA considered the matter closed.
"Cameron isn't proud of his actions and has shown significant remorse," Reid said.
"The severity of the penalties which could have resulted from his actions have served to be a significant wake-up call for Cameron.
"He is extremely grateful to be given the opportunity by the court and ARU tribunal to seek the appropriate help to make better choices in his life.
"He fully acknowledges and understands that he has let not only himself down but also the members and supporters of the Western Force and the wider rugby fraternity."
The three-man tribunal, chairman, barrister Dominic Villa, ARU integrity manager Phil Thomson and retired Perth District Court Judge Robert Viol also heard submissions from Shepherd and his lawyer John Prior.
Chief Magistrate Steven Heath imposed penalties in Perth Magistrate's Court for the offences committed in December last year.
He disqualified Shepherd for nine months - starting when an existing suspension ends - for driving under suspension and imposed another 12-month disqualification, for the drink-driving offence.
Prior told the court the ARU had previously fined Shepherd $7500 for two previous driving offences of driving in excess of 0.08 and driving under suspension.
Shepherd made his Australian debut against England in 2006 and has nine caps.
He made his Super rugby debut for the Waratahs in 2004 and joined the Force for the 2006 season.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ream-lives-on/
