Ferguson axed by Japanese club after arrest

Former NRL star Blake Ferguson has been sacked by his Japanese rugby club three days after he was arrested for allegedly possessing cocaine in Tokyo.

Currently sitting in a jail cell as he waits for the legal process to move forward, Ferguson has been axed without playing a game for NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu.

After confirming yesterday that Ferguson had been arrested following an altercation at a Tokyo restaurant on December 30, the Japanese rugby club has now updated its statement on the matter, adding: "[1/2 Postscript] Regarding Ferguson, the player contract was canceled on January 2nd."

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Drug possession is treated severely in Japan. Several rugby players have faced criminal charges in the nation in recent years for substance issues, with some handed suspended jail sentences.

The Japan Rugby Football Union suspended the competition last year after an arrest over suspected cocaine use with chairman Osamu Ota describing it as a "major issue that shakes the foundation of Japan's rugby world".

Ferguson was due to make his debut for NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu next month after pulling the trigger on a code switch as his contract with the Eels came to an end last season.

He had spoken about the potential of representing the Wallabies but that dream now appears dashed.

"I feel like I've achieved everything, I don't really have to achieve too much more in the NRL," Ferguson told Triple M's Rush Hour last year.

"Rugby is something that I do want to try, I played it as a schoolkid … it would be good to try and switch codes and try and create a legacy in that arena."

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