National Rugby League Chief Medical Officer Says League 'Doesn't Need Supplements'

National Rugby League Chief Medical Officer Ron Muratore said that the league "doesn't need supplements -- legal or illegal," according to Paul Crawley of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. At the risk of being labelled a "dinosaur," Muratore said that "there was no need for any player to take any supplement unless it is specifically for a medical condition." He said that by cutting out supplements "it would also make it safer for young players confused by what was legal and illegal." Muratore: "I think it is important to get the message across that these things are not essential. People take these things as a shortcut to recovery and improved performance" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 3/12).

BLACK CLOUD: In Sydney, Simon Benson wrote the NRL has demanded that the Gillard government "throw more resources into the drugs in rugby league investigation as fears emerge that the 'black cloud' hanging over the sport could last the entire season." NRL CEO Dave Smith has even offered" financial and other support to help speed up" the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority's investigation. Smith: "ASADA has been given a huge task and it needs more resources to get it done as it only has a small unit for a very large task" (DAILY TELEGRAPH 3/12).