NRL boss Andrew Abdo has put the players on notice amid two Raiders stars being disciplined over a hotel scuffle as the NRL integrity Unit is set to request CCTV footage.
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The Daily Telegraph reported Abdo reminded the NRL stars of their duties to the game, especially on such a big occasion for the game as the Las Vegas season opener.
“NRL players are professionals and know they are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times,” Abdo said.
“We expect exceptional standards from our athletes on and off the field.”
The NRL integrity unit is also investigating the matter and it is understood they will formally request permission to review CCTV footage of the incident once they arrive in Las Vegas.
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The two Raiders players have fronted the media to apologise, after being sanctioned over a hotel scuffle just days out from their season opener against the Warriors in Las Vegas.
The Raiders confirmed that Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies were the players involved in the hotel incident, then had them explain themselves.
Young admitted that a scuffle with “best mate” Smithies had “got out of hand” and that the pair were asked by the hotel to leave.
“We came back after a night out on Thursday and there was an issue with the room,” Young said.
“We’re not going to go into details of that.
“There was a scuffle in the elevator, nothing in the hallways.
Raiders players fight in Vegas incident | 00:37
“We came back as a team and one of the boys had got a toy baseball bat somewhere.
“That was mistaken as a weapon in the elevator but it played no role.
“Security didn’t break anything up… We went downstairs to sort our room out and that’s when they’ve reviewed the footage and asked us to leave.
“The club sorted it out and we’re very thankful to be staying here at Resorts World.”
Smithies fronted the media with a black eye but said: “That’s from training.”
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart confirmed the incident on Monday night (AEDT).
“I have spoken to the players who are very embarrassed,” Stuart said. “The behaviour was unacceptable. The club will deal with this strongly.”
The Daily Telegraph reported the players were evicted briefly from the hotel on their first night following confusion over a room booking. Hundreds of guests staying with the NRL’s official accommodation partner, including the Raiders, were caught up in booking complications at the hotel, according to CODE Sports.
Smithies was left without a room, according to The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas — which took a bad turn after he and Young returned from a night on the town.
“Smithies wanted to spend the night sharing a bed with his teammate and best friend. That was met with resistance from Young and what began as a wrestle for the room turned into a brawl with punches being thrown,” Chammas wrote.
There were initial fears players were holding a baseball bat when security attended following the commotion. It later emerged that it was an inflatable baseball bat.
Security were alerted to the players only because one bumped the emergency button in the lift, Chammas wrote — which triggered an alert within a system of 5000 cameras.
After the brief eviction, the players were allowed back into the hotel and one was escorted to his supposed new room — which was already being used by a Penrith Panthers player.
Smithies said that Stuart wanted he and Young to address the issue so that Canberra could return focus to its game preparations.
“He was disappointed and we were in ourselves,” Smithies said.
“We apologised and are looking to move on and focus on this week.
“It’s a massive week so we want to put it to bed.”
Young also apologised.
“I want to apologise for the actions on Thursday night. It wasn’t good enough,” Young said.
“The NRL invests so much time and effort into this game. It’s such a great space to be a part of here in Vegas and a great spectacle.
“Things got a bit out of hand on Thursday night. I’m happy to move on.
“I’m embarrassed for myself, our teammates and the NRL.
Raiders duo apologise for Vegas brawl | 05:08
“We’ve dealt with it internally as a club. Sticky’s (coach Ricky Stuart) been on the front foot.
“Everything has been dealt with.
“We are best mates.
“He was at mine for Christmas and our partners are travelling America at the moment so there’s no issues there.
“I spoke to my partner but there was nothing to say because we’re best mates. It was honestly nothing.
“We’re so close as a team and me and Morgan are really good mates. Everyone knows that. We are strong.
“We’ve dealt with this many days ago and have moved on.
“I feel awful, especially for my family as well. It’s a massive thing for them coming over here and they have to deal with this as well.”
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