Greg Inglis' Kangaroos captaincy lasted just 28 hours before he was suspended for Australia's two-Test rugby league tour of New Zealand and replaced as leader by Boyd Cordner.
Appointed to the role of national captain on Monday, Inglis paid the price for allegedly being caught speeding and drink driving just hours later in Lithgow.
The South Sydney star fronted the media on Tuesday to apologise but said he felt he deserved to stay on as Kangaroos captain.
Those hopes were quickly quashed by NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga two hours later.
"Greg is not just a great player, he is one of our best role models, but he made a poor decision on this occasion," said Greenberg, announcing the suspension.
"He deserves full credit for being up front today by apologising and taking full ownership of his mistake.
"It is a mark of the man that he has accepted responsibility for his actions and I have no doubt he will overcome this setback and retain his status as a true leader in our game."
Inglis will not challenge the ban and it remains possible he could return as the Kangaroos captain next year when Meninga names his next squad.
Premiership-winning Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner will take over as skipper for this month's Tests against New Zealand and Tonga.
Inglis' Rabbitohs teammate Dane Gagai has also been called into the 19-man squad as a centre replacement.
The ban came after Inglis stated his case to stay on as Kangaroos leader.
"Me personally, I feel like I do (deserve to)," he said.
"It's entirely up to them. It's out of my control now. I know I still have the full support of the playing group and everyone else.
"Through my playing career I've been playing for 13 years and I've never had a criminal charge laid against me."
Inglis had also spoken to Queensland Origin coach Kevin Walters on Tuesday, and was told by the Rabbitohs his job as South Sydney skipper was safe.
The 31-year-old was driving home from the Koori Knockout tournament in Dubbo when he was stopped around 2pm after, he said, he'd returned to his hotel room at about 1am.
"I thought I would be right to drive and I didn't leave Gulgong until about 12 the next day. Got pulled over and that was it from there," he said.
"I'm sincerely apologetic.
"I know where I stand in the game as a role model to the community and what I have been charged with is unacceptable on my behalf."
Inglis is due to face court next month.
Meninga said he would have no issue recalling Inglis next year.
"I hope to see him back in a Kangaroos jersey next year," he said.
"Greg has been an integral part of the team for many years and I expect him to be back."
