Why NRL are powerless to test players out of competition

While the NRL is in urgent talks with Valentine Holmes over a controversial social media post, there’s only so far the governing body can go in its investigation.

Valentine Holmes was expected to meet officials from the NRL integrity unit on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

The NRL and North Queensland are powerless to test any player, including Cowboys star Valentine Holmes, because the game’s drug testing regime takes a break while players are on holidays.

Holmes was expected to meet officials from the NRL integrity unit on Monday morning after an investigation was opened into a social media image of the Kangaroos winger with what appeared to be a bag of white powder in his mouth.

This masthead understands that Holmes denies using any illicit substance and has staunchly maintained it was a prank gone wrong but the NRL and Cowboys were concerned enough to seek urgent talks with one of the game’s biggest names.

However, even if head office wanted to test Holmes, they are powerless to do so under the game’s illicit testing regime, which dictates players are off limits during their holiday period.

Holmes officially began his holidays in the days after the Cowboys were eliminated from the competition. The incident comes at the end of a difficult season for the Cowboys, who were expected to do big things but failed to finish in the top eight.

Valentine Holmes was expected to meet officials from the NRL integrity unit on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

Holmes missed the closing weeks of the regular season through suspension but was expected to be part of Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga’s squad for the upcoming Tri Nations tournament.

Meninga is known to fiercely protect the national team’s image. The NRL integrity unit, meanwhile, fielded a report over the weekend from the Cowboys, who were made aware of an image showing Holmes with a small bag in his mouth.

The image appeared briefly on Holmes’ very own social-media account before being deleted. This masthead alerted the NRL to the image early on Sunday morning after it was circulated on social media.

It is understood the Cowboys made preliminary contact with Holmes on Sunday as a preamble to a more formal hearing at 11am on Monday with NRL investigators, who will probe the Origin and Test star via Zoom.

Holmes has told those close to him that the image was a puerile prank gone wrong. He will reiterate that sentiment to Cowboys hierarchy and NRL integrity-unit chiefs on Monday, adamant he did not partake in any drug-taking activity.

An investigation bas been opened into a social media image of Valentine Holmes with a white bag in his mouth.

In the image, the 28-year-old is seen biting down on a small white bag while holding a drink.

The time-stamp on the image suggests it was posted at 7.42pm and it is believed it was up for several minutes before being deleted.

It was, however, long enough for someone to screenshot the image and begin sharing it on social media.

The Cowboys released a statement confirming they were aware of the photo and would assist the integrity unit with their investigation.

“The North Queensland Cowboys are aware of a photo posted to social media by a Cowboys player this morning,” the statement said.

“The club is conducting an investigation as well as assisting the NRL Integrity Unit.

“The Cowboys will make no further comment until the investigations are completed.”

It is unclear what was in the bag. An NRL spokesman confirmed the integrity unit was also aware of the matter.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten was immediately made aware of the image as club officials began their own probe to ascertain the chain of events that led to Holmes being snapped with the white bag in his mouth.

Valentine Holmes and the Cowboys endured a disappointing 2023 campaign. Picture: Getty Images

The investigation comes as the Cowboys lick their wounds after a disappointing end to the year.

The club stunned the pundits by reaching the grand-final qualifier last season and the expectation was that the Cowboys would kick on in 2023 as possible premiership winners.

However, they started slowly and missed the top eight, their premiership hopes fizzling out with Holmes watching from the sidelines after he was suspended for the final weeks of the regular season for a high shot.

The NRL has had a drama-free start to end-of-year festivities so far this year. Nine teams were bundled out of the competition last week and the annual Mad Monday antics have been relatively low-key.

The Cowboys were among the sides who spent last week licking their wounds.The drama comes two years after the white powder scandal involving Melbourne Storm trio Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis.

Originally published as Why NRL are powerless to test players out of competition