Canberra Raiders player Jordan Rapana sentenced for drink driving

Canberra Raiders star Jordan Rapana has faced court after being busted drink driving while enjoying the Sunshine Coast, but expects heftier sanctions to come.

Jordan Taniora Rihari Rapana levang court with his solicitor Dave Garratt after being sentenced for drink driving. Picture: Laura Pettigrew.

Canberra Raiders star Jordan Rapana is expecting a ‘huge’ punishment from the NRL after he was busted drink driving on the Sunshine Coast.

The Raiders player pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday to driving over the general alcohol limit after he was caught drink driving along Bradman Avenue, Maroochydore on September 27.

Rapana was fined $500 and disqualified from driving for three months.

He admitted to police he had been drinking before he got behind the wheel and blew a reading of 0.098.

Rapana’s Instagram page showed him and a mate tagged at a popular licensed venue at Mooloolaba Wharf on September 25.

The Canberra raiders are no strangers to the region, having relocated to the Coast in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Solicitor Dave Garratt said Rapana was expecting a “huge” monetary penalty from the NRL and may miss games after the offence.

Jordan Taniora Rihari Rapana levang court with his solicitor Dave Garratt after being sentenced for drink driving. Picture: Laura Pettigrew.

Mr Garratt said having a conviction recorded on Rapana’s traffic history could mean a more severe punishment from the NRL.

He asked Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin not to record a conviction.

“When I report back to the NRL integrity unit today if there is no conviction recorded it will look better on Mr Rapana,” he said.

He also said Rapana had ideas of playing in the Super League in Canada and could be denied entry into the country.

Mr McLaughlin said he did not agree with the “Canada card” played by the solicitor.

Mr Garratt also said any disqualification period would mean Rapana’s wife would have to drive him a significant distance to and from training while caring for their 10-month old baby.

Jordan Rapana up against the North Queensland Cowboys. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Senior constable Rebecca Lambert said it was not the highest reading that would be before the court and Rapana didn’t have any history of drink driving.

Mr McLaughlin said Rapana’s reading was on the upper end of the low-range readings.

He gave Rapana credit for his early plea of guilty, very good traffic history and the fact that he had never had his licence taken off him.

“I see that because you are involved in the profession rugby league team I accept that they will punish you for this because … you are seen as a representative of the club and the sport in general and they clamp down on anyone that misbehaves in public,” he said.

Jordan Taniora Rihari Rapana was at a popular licensed venue in Mooloolaba just days before he was busted drink driving. Picture: Social media.

Mr McLaughlin did not record a conviction against Rapana.

An NRL spokesman said Integrity Unit was aware of the court matter involving Rapana.

“Now the court process is complete the Integrity Unit will finalise the matter,” he said.

Rapana debuted for the Gold Coast Titans and in August re-signed with the Raiders, penning a two-year deal to remain at the club until the end of 2023.