Ex-NRL player Anthony Watts accused of biting opponent's penis during Gold Coast match

UPDATE: Rugby league officials are investigating allegations former NRL player Anthony Watts bit a player on the penis during a match.

Officials will review video footage of the match to see if Anthony Watts, centre in blue, bit his opponent.

THE Queensland Rugby League (QRL) is monitoring an investigation into an on-field claim that ex-NRL player Anthony Watts bit another player on the penis during a melee in the Gold Coast competition.

A Bilambil player pulled down his shorts and alerted match officials to the alleged incident after the first half brawl sparked by Tugun's Watts in the Gold Coast Rugby League (GCRL) Bycroft Cup preliminary final on Sunday.

The player declined to make an official complaint but GCRL operations manager Tom Marzella confirmed they were reviewing footage of the match and could lay charges if there was sufficient evidence.

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Watts appeared before media in Brisbane on Monday with his solicitor Mark Williams to deny the allegation.

William said Watts "absolutely denies that any biting of any nature has taken place".

"Now, if there has been any contact made to that particular area of this gentleman's body, our client apologises."

Williams said rugby league was a full contact professional sport and contact was made during play to all parts of people's bodies.

"Whether it is real or imagined, contact can occur and that is a very real risk," he said.

Marzella said the QRL asked to be kept up to date with the investigation due to the allegation's seriousness.

"We will know more tomorrow," he added.

"We have to wait for reports from match officials and the clubs involved before the judiciary panel meets this afternoon to review the situation.

"It can't move ahead until then.

"Like any biting charge, while this is a little more unusual, we just have to follow procedure."

Conclusive evidence may be difficult to find as only one video camera was used at the match.

In June, ex-North Queensland and Sydney Roosters utility Watts confirmed he had given up on an NRL comeback and that he had become a member of Gold Coast bikie gang the Finks.

Officials will review video footage of the match to see if Anthony Watts, centre in blue, bit his opponent.

Earlier: RUGBY league officials are investigating allegations former NRL bad boy and Finks bikie associate Anthony Watts bit another player on the penis during a match on the Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon.

Officials are understood to be reviewing video footage from the game after the opposing Bilambil player refused to make an official complaint after the preliminary final at Tugun.

In the latest incident involving the former North Queensland Cowboy and Sydney Rooster, the opposing player alerted match officials to the incident during a first-half melee of the Bycroft Cup game at Boyd Street by pulling down his shorts.

The recently inducted Finks member fronted media in Brisbane briefly today with a lawyer to reject the claim he had bitten his opponent's penis.

Solicitor Mark Williams, of Potts Lawyers, said his client "absolutely denies that any biting of any nature has taken place".

"Now, if there has been any contact made to that particular area of this gentleman's body, our client apologises," Mr Williams said.

Watts grimaced and shook his head at mention of the allegations but declined to comment himself.

Mr Williams said his client played "a full contact professional sport and during play, contact is made to all parts of people's bodies".

" Whether it is real or imagined, contact can occur and that is a very real risk," he said.

A number of players were involved in the melee, which was sparked by troubled Tugun player Watts pushing a Bilambil player.

The entire incident was placed on report in the 39th minute by the referee but the player who made the biting allegation later chose to not pursue claims with league officials.

Players have until 30 minutes after the game to lodge a written complaint.

However, the GCRL will review footage of the incident and has the power to lay charges if there is sufficient evidence which could lead to suspension ahead of Sunday's grand final between Tugun and Southport at Pizzey Park.

- with Travis Meyn, Gold Coast Bulletin