NRL investigating yet another Covid breach after four players were caught playing the pokies at a pub for hours without masks – after two stars were seen ringside at Tim Tszyu fight
- Four Gold Coast Titans players are being investigated for breaching Covid rules
- It was confirmed the group went to a Sydney pub and were playing pokies
- Several NRL players were spotted at Tim Tszyu fight despite being told not to go
The NRL is investigating four Gold Coast Titans players who were allegedly playing the pokies in a Sydney pub without masks.
Among the group was New Zealand international and club co-captain Kevin Proctor, Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook confirmed.
He said the hard-running second-rower and three of his teammates were cooperating with the NRL probe as they prepare for Saturday’s clash with the Canberra Raiders at Jubilee Oval in Kogarah.
Two other big names in rugby league are facing possible sanctions after being photographed at the Tim Tzsyu boxing match in Newcastle without a mask on Wednesday night.
Pictured: New Zealand international and club co-captain Kevin Proctor with his partner
The NRL is investigating four Gold Coast Titans players over who are alleged to have been in a Sydney pub playing the pokies without a mask (stock image)
The Titans relocated to the Harbour City this week after the nearby Brisbane area went into lockdown for three days following a coronavirus outbreak.
Residents in Brisbane, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast were put on high alert after positive cases visited a number of venues in Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
The side decided to take their home game south and were placed under tight ‘biosecurity restrictions’.
Holbrook said the players were mainly in the outdoor area of the Locker Room Bar at Olympic Park near the team’s hotel.
NRL officials are also still looking into whether Wests Tigers centre James Roberts and Eels utility Will Smith breached the Covid restrictions when they attended the Steel City Showdown days earlier.
The Titans relocated to the Harbour City this week after the nearby Greater Brisbane area went into lockdown for three days following a coronavirus outbreak. Pictured: Kevin Proctor
Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook confirmed the hard-running second-rower (Proctor pictured with his partner) and three of his teammates are now working with the NRL probe
A number of NRL players were in attendance at the Tim Tszyu fight last night despite the game sending out an email telling players not to attend.
The NRL sent out an email on Wednesday afternoon saying players should not attend the sell-out event due to strict biosecurity measures in place following the outbreak in Queensland and northern New South Wales.
South Sydney Rabbitohs stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker sat ringside and were part of Tszyu’s team – but the two had received special clearance from the game to attend.
The Rabbitohs and Eels have been contacted for comment on the presence of their players at the fight night.
The Tigers told Daily Mail Australia they are currently speaking with NRL Apollo Group over the matter.
The event, held at Newcastle’s Entertainment Centre, is still several hours away from the one community transfer recorded in northern NSW but the NRL were intent on players avoiding the fight in the interests of the competition.
Latrell Mitchell (center left) and Cody Walker (center right) attended the Tim Tszyu fight in Newcastle on Wednesday night
Wests Tigers star James Roberts (pictured left) was also present at the event on Wednesday night
It’s not clear whether players were explicitly banned and what the punishment would be for attending.
Mitchell and Walker were sitting ringside wearing masks the entire time including while interacting with fans and other famous attendees.
Roberts and Smith were separate from the South Sydney pair and were not wearing masks while watching the fights.
Former players Andrew and Matthew Johns, and Paul Gallen were also in attendance at the event two hours north of Sydney.
Anthony Mundine too watching ringside as Tim Tszyu defeated Dennis Hogan in a dominant display with a fifth-round TKO.
The NRL has confirmed all players under investigation will be allowed to play this weekend and that any punishment handed down will come after round four.
A number of NRL players were in attendance at the Tim Tszyu fight last night despite the game sending out an email telling players not to attend
Roberts was separate from the South Sydney pair and was not wearing a mask while watching the fights
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