Kiwis coach David Kidwell says alleged drug-use by Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor is not a part of the Kiwis' culture.
Reports out of Australia on Saturday afternoon said both players purchased and snorted cocaine following Friday's crushing 30-12 loss to the Kangaroos in the final Anzac Test.
Canberra man Adrian Mark Crowthe appeared in court on Saturday after allegedly selling cocaine to both players, which has sparked an investigation by the NRL and New Zealand Rugby League.
Speaking on Channel 9's Sunday Footy Show, Kidwell said he could not comment much on the issue but insisted that this is not a part of the team's culture.
"If the allegations are true, to all of the rugby league fans and Kiwis fans out there, that's not part of our Te Iwi Kiwi culture," he said.
It's been a tough week for rugby league, after former Kiwis centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall was arrested in Sydney at after allegedly being found with cocaine by police, while Sharks chairman Damian Keogh was arrested in Woolloomooloo when he was allegedly found with a small bag containing white powder during a police search.
Kidwell told the Sunday Footy Show that the entire sport will take a hit by all these allegations.
"The whole of our rugby league sport has taken a hit with the integrity. We have good people in rugby league," he said.
"Why I became the head coach of the Kiwis is because I love rugby league. I love the sport, I love the people involved in the sport and it is a surprise.
"There's a process that they're going through and that's all I can comment on. I don't want to jeopardise the process."
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has also spoken out on the issue, saying the game does not have a cocaine problem.
"I don't think the game's got any bigger problem than what society has in confronting these sorts of challenges," he said.
"We've got hundreds of young men inside the rugby league network, we do a huge amount of education, a huge amount of testing, we're still going to have issues, that's the realistic nature of the way we do our business."
He said drugs were a big issue in society and rugby league is no exception.
"We're no different to that, but we must stand up and lead, so that's what we'll do," he said.
"They're leaders of the game, and I certainly have great expectations for the leaders in our sport. Again, they're allegations, we'll get to the bottom of it. But when people make errors, there have to be actions."
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