Wests Tigers and Kiwi Test forward Elijah Taylor says he is "shattered" by the events following Friday night's Anzac Test in Canberra that led to two senior New Zealand forwards being excluded from the end-of-year World Cup but insists players can only support that decision and move on.
Taylor, who was called into the squad following an injury to Nelson Asofa-Solomona but did not make the final 17 ahead of the ill-fated night, did not hide his disappointment at the actions of captain Jesse Bromwich and back-rower Kevin Proctor when quizzed by media at Wests Tigers training on Tuesday.
"I was disappointed; I was shattered," Taylor said of hearing the news the pair had been caught up in a drugs scandal after going out after the game and been subsequently excluded from consideration for the World Cup later this year.
"We have to stand by the NZRL's decision," he said.
"Back home we're trying to grow the game of rugby league.
"The Test on the weekend was a massive game for the game back in New Zealand and what happened after it was very disappointing but they've come out with the decision and as players we have to support that decision.
"We're definitely trying to grow our Kiwi culture and what the players did after the game, that's not a part of that culture. I know Jesse and Kevin personally and that's totally out of character but we're going to stand by the decision from the NZRL with whatever they see fit for punishment.
"It's really disappointing [but] I know they'll bounce back from it and come back stronger."
