Western Force winger Drew Mitchell revealed he wasn't interviewed as part of the independent inquiry into the behaviour of Super 14 coach John Mitchell.
The former All Blacks coach was placed on restricted duties by the Force late last month after several complaints by players and staff over his behaviour and training methods.
On Monday, the Force lifted the restrictions after chairman Geoff Stooke informed reporters that retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Robert Anderson, who is in charge of the review, had completed all interviews with players and staff.
But Drew, who returned to Perth on New Year's eve, said he hadn't spoken to the QC, who is expected to hand over his findings before the season starts.
"I was on tour in November (with the Wallabies) so wasn't in contact with anyone at the Force and then I was on a P&O cruise where my phone didn't work so that was handy," he said on Tuesday.
"I've just been trying to get completely away.
"He (Justice Anderson) may have (tried to call), I'm not sure.
"There would have been a few missed calls but I'm not too sure."
Drew admitted there were times when he and John didn't see eye to eye but said that was just part of the nature of the sport.
"You are always going to have clashes and I'm not just singling Mitch out there," he said
"With my personality I might have a bit of a blow up but we'll have a laugh after it straight away.
"I guess with every relationship it goes two ways.
"Although it might seem from the outside it's all against John Mitchell, it's certainly not.
"I'm sure it's not just Mitch trying to change a few things either.
"I mean we are not all perfect and I will certainly try to change a few things in my game."
The 24-year-old Wallaby comes out of contract with the Force at the end of the season and said a number of factors -- including who was coach and what players were at the club -- would help him decide whether to re-sign or not.
John was again more of a spectator at training on Tuesday as his assistant John Mulvihill took charge.
With the start of the season just over a month away, Drew denied the controversy surrounding the coach would adversely affect the team's on-field performance.
"This sort of stuff can only be a distraction if you allow it to be," he said.
"For us crossing that line is a bit of an escape and we can just not worry about it.
"Our job is just the footy on the field and when we cross that white line to train that's all we're focused on and I'm sure the people who have to deal with it (the controversy) will deal with it.
"We support everyone here. We are all buying into the same thing.
"We're not allowing it to be a distraction."
AAP





