'Really s****y': Blake Ferguson breaks silence on Tokyo jail nightmare
Former NRL star Blake Ferguson has lifted the lid on his month-long prison ordeal after being locked up in Japan over drug charges.
Ferguson was arrested by Japanese police in Tokyo last month after allegedly being caught in possession of an illegal drug.
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According to local media, police were called to a restaurant in the Roppongi area of Tokyo after the 31-year-old Ferguson was allegedly involved in an altercation with another patron.
The winger, who left Parramatta at the end of the 2021 NRL season to try his hand in Japanese club rugby union, was then searched at Azabu police station and allegedly found with cocaine in his possession.
The 31-year-old, who won a premiership with the Roosters in 2018, eventually had his $1.5 million contract NEC Green Rockets torn up and has previously been unable to contact anyone from his prison cell in Tokyo.
Breaking his silence in an interview with NewsCorp, Ferguson said he hadn't had any contact with anyone back in Australia because he "didn’t have access to a phone."
“It was just me and some Japanese guys who couldn’t speak English. I read a few books but that was about it. The food was pretty ordinary and I got a really bad back," he said.
“Seriously, the mattress would have been a centimetre thick. I could hardly stand up for a few days. I certainly wouldn’t want to go back."
The former NSW State of Origin star is awaiting a court date in Japan on March 3, where he says he will plead guilty to the drug charges.
He is expected to be sentenced 10 days later.
Blake Ferguson accepts responsibility for actions
Ferguson admits that he made a serious error of judgement and has taken full responsibility for his actions and the consequences they may bring.
“I got myself into this mess and there’s no-one else to blame,” he said.
“I had too much to drink and put myself into a really shitty situation.
“Other than that I can’t say much about the case but I’m hopeful it will work out okay.
“I’m going to plead guilty and hopefully they will show some leniency. It’s important that I accept responsibility.”
The 31-year-old says he "can't wait" to get home to see his partner and their three children, whom he's been separated from for almost six months.
Ferguson's manager says they have not approached any clubs about a potential return to the NRL when he does come back to Australia.
with AAP
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