Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga says New Zealand duo Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor's cocaine scandal has damaged his quest to make the representative round the "pinnacle" of the NRL season.
Meninga was livid over allegations Melbourne's Bromwich and Gold Coast's Proctor used cocaine outside a Canberra nightclub following last week's Test loss to Australia.
He said the controversy had completely overshadowed last weekend's representative round.
"It's just disappointing that it has taken away from such a great weekend of international rugby league," Meninga said.
"We are trying so hard behind the scenes to make it one of the pinnacles of the season.
"It's so disappointing that we have this sort of behaviour that takes away from the glamour of international rugby league."
Meninga believed the code would endure the latest scandal but admitted his hopes of raising international football's profile had taken a major hit.
"We are a pretty resilient code. I am sure we will get through it," he said.
"Hopefully one day we will start talking about how good the Kangaroos, Kiwis and Pacific Islander teams are, and how good England are instead of all the crap that goes on behind the scenes."
Proctor on Wednesday was banned by NRL club Gold Coast for four matches, fined $20,000 and ordered to do 50 hours of community service.
Melbourne stood Bromwich down for two matches on Sunday and did not not impose a fine, although he will donate his Test match fee to charity.
Meninga backed a heavy punishment for the pair.
"They are grown men and should be accountable for their actions first and foremost," he said.
"The important thing is that we protect our game.
"There's so much education in the game on all issues.
"Players are not in the dark. They understand the ramifications.
"I think they should come down pretty hard on them."
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