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“This has to stop”: Third NRL star under investigation as “silly season” continues

2 years ago

NZ Warriors forward Josh Curran is under investigation for an alleged nightclub incident in the hours after the NRL Grand Final.

The incident is said to have left a teenage boy with “facial injuries” at a Port Macquarie venue on Monday morning.

NSW police have confirmed the incident, with both the NZ Warriors and NRL Integrity Unit also aware of the situation.

The club released a statement to acknowledge the situation but declined to reveal any further details.

“(Chief executive) Cameron George has confirmed knowledge of an alleged incident involving forward Josh Curran at a licensed premises over the weekend in Port Macquarie, NSW," the Warriors said.

"The club wishes to advise that the incident has been reported to the NRL Integrity Unit and will now await any further information from the NRL investigation."

While further details are yet to be unveiled, it is understood Curran is yet to be formally charged as police continue their investigation into the incident.

On the 23-year-old’s alleged actions, which has now become the third situation to be investigated by the NRL Integrity Unit since the Grand Final, former Warriors coach Tony Kemp has expressed his frustration.

“Only 24 hours after the final whistle of the season and the NRL’s silly season has kicked into full swing,” Kemp told SENZ Breakfast.

“Look I love (ARLC Chairman Peter) Vlandys – I think he’s great for the game – but he needs to come down hard on this.

“This has to stop.

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“It just happens every year in and out of (season); especially off-season going into pre-season and pre-season going into in-season … we’re going to have more of this happening.”

Kemp has further questioned the sanctions handed down by the Integrity Unit, as players don’t seem deterred by the potential penalties they may receive for their actions on and off the field.

“I’m more about the way (that) you stop it,” Kemp added.

“The Integrity Unit was only set up a few years ago (and) was set up to stop this type of behaviour and hand down penalties.

“The penalties are obviously not strict enough, so why don’t you make them strict enough?

“There’s going to have to be a bit of pain to get a result. If you tear up contracts, then players are going to second guess going out on the drink and making these really poor decisions.

“That in itself is really average, isn’t it? All of these things are under the influence of alcohol.”

Curran follows Grand Final medallist Jarome Luai and Cowboys forward Luciano Leilua in the group of players currently under investigation from the NRL Integrity Unit.

Luai is at risk of missing World Cup matches for Samoa after making a social media post with racial connotations following the Sunday night victory, while Leilua has been charged by police over alleged domestic violence offences.

New Zealand Warriors

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