League star given show cause notice by QRL after pleading guilty to sexual assault
Toowoomba Rugby League have broken their silence following the indefinite ‘stand down’ of player Darryl Erepia who has pleaded guilty to sexual assault. With the 2025 season just days away they have issued a stark warning to their members and players.
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Toowoomba Rugby League have broken their silence following the indefinite ‘stand down’ of Darryl Augustine Erepia.
The 23-year-old, who was re-signed by Warwick Cowboys for the 2025 TRL season, pleaded guilty to sexual assault in March.
Days after his guilty plea Erepia received a ‘show cause notice’ from Queensland Rugby League and was immediately and indefinitely stood down from all rugby league related activities.
In a statement sent to this masthead, TRL chairman Michael Burns praised Warwick Cowboys swift action regarding Erepia and the QRL’s role in proceedings.
“The TRL and QRL worked together to gain a further understanding of the matter, with the QRL confirming the player is now provisionally suspended, while the procedure for determining whether he meets the NRL Registration terms and conditions is undertaken.
“We commend the affected club for its immediate standing down of the player and ongoing transparency during the judicial process.”
Erepia entered his guilty plea before the Toowoomba District Court on Tuesday, March 18, one week before he was set to stand trial on the charges that were dismissed in exchange for his plea.
The court heard his guilty plea came after his lawyers made a deal with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to drop “a much more serious charge”.
It is understood by this masthead that Erepia will need to provide reasoning to the QRL as to why he should be allowed to return to rugby league activities.
With that matter still in the hands of the QRL the TRL have opted not to speak on the specifics of Erepia’s case.
Burns however has urged TRL members to be accountable and set a standard other members of the community can follow this season.
“It is an imperative for players and officials, along with affiliated clubs and stakeholders to understand they have a continued responsibility to uphold the integrity of the game, through their actions both on and off the field.
“There are many individuals across our competitions that are considered role models, particularly by their younger peers, so that in itself dictates an obligation to respect the privileged position they hold within our communities.”
In August 2023, the former USQ Saints rugby union player was acquitted of assault causing grievous bodily harm following a three-day trial before the Toowoomba District Court. The court heard Erepia was celebrating a team member’s birthday when he participated in a consensual fight that left a man in a coma with serious head injuries after being tackled on concrete.
The 23-year-old also remains on bail conditions for an unrelated criminal matter that he is attempting to settle outside of the courts.
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