Broncos legend hit with high-range drink-driving charge

Brisbane Broncos legend Steve Renouf has taken to social media to apologise after he was hit with a high-range drink-driving charge after being pulled over by police last night.

Steve Renouf has been charged after the incident Tuesday night. Picture: Liam Kidston

A Brisbane Broncos legend has been charged with high-range drink driving after allegedly being almost four times over the limit.

Queensland Maroons and Australian Kangaroos great Steve Renouf, 55, was pulled over by police for a routine licence check and roadside breath test about 10.45pm on Tuesday night.

Police will allege Renouf was intercepted while driving his Kia on Windsor Rd at Red Hill – just a few kilometres from Brisbane Broncos HQ on Fulcher Rd.

It will be alleged Renouf – who was the only person in the car – returned a positive roadside result and was taken to Brisbane City Watchhouse.

Police will allege Renouf returned a blood alcohol concentration of 0.197 – almost four times over the limit.

Renouf was unstoppable for the Broncos in his prime.

Renouf had his licence suspended and has been charged with one count of driving while under the influence of liquor. He has not entered a plea.

While not employed by the Broncos, Renouf is a Brisbane Old Boys Legend who played a starring role in the club’s maiden premiership win in 1992.

Renouf took to Instagram on Wednesday to address the charge, saying he had let his family down.

“I accept and acknowledge that my actions are unacceptable,” he said on his Instagram account.

“I have let down my family, the Broncos’ fans, the rugby league community, the Queensland public and my mob.

“I am sorry for letting everyone down and am embarrassed and disappointed with my actions.

“I will accept my punishment and will aim to do better.”

It comes just weeks after Broncos media manager Melissa Mallet was charged with high-range drink driving after a separate incident in Paddington on June 2 where she allegedly crashed into two parked vehicles.

Mallet was charged with did drive while under the influence of liquor and is yet to face court or enter a plea.

Renouf – who played 183 NRL games – won four premierships with the Broncos in the 1990s and has been regarded as one of the best centres of his era.

He was nicknamed “The Pearl” because of his rare speed and attacking gifts.

Steve Renouf is a Deadly Choices ambassador. Picture John Gass.

He still holds the title of leading try scorer in the club’s history with 142 during his career.

Renouf also played 11 Tests for Australia and made 11 State of Origin appearances for Queensland.

Renouf was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame last year, and is an ambassador for Deadly Choices – a preventive health program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their families.

He is a father of five, grew up in Murgon and has openly battled type-1 diabetes for more than 30 years.

Renouf will face Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 16.

Originally published as Broncos legend hit with high-range drink-driving charge