Ashley-Cooper upset, says mum

Australia's coaching staff have come down hardest on Adam Ashley-Cooper because of his seniority, according to the player's mother.

Australia's coaching staff have come down hardest on Adam Ashley-Cooper because of his seniority, according to the player's mother.

Ashley-Cooper, who has 90 caps, was one of six Wallabies suspended from this weekend's Test against Scotland by Ewen McKenzie for staying out late last Tuesday in Dublin.

Of the six players – including Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Liam Gill, Nick Cummins and Paddy Ryan – McKenzie was said to be especially disappointed with the senior figures in the group, including Ashley-Cooper.

Players were expected to return to the team hotel by midnight, with Mrs Ashley-Cooper admitting that her son had consumed a few beers but not to an excessive level.

“These players are now being made an example of, but because Adam's the most senior player, they're coming down on him the hardest,” Mrs Ashley-Cooper told the Triple M radio station in Brisbane.

“So he's missing a game for not upholding the behavioural and cultural standards of an elite athlete representing the Wallabies.

“He said he'll cop it and move forward, but he's really upset because they are claiming excessive and inappropriate alcohol intake by him, and alcohol was not the problem. It was the time he got home.”