NRL 2022: CEO Andrew Abdo breaks silence on the meeting which saved Kotoni Staggs’ career

After a series of off-field indiscretions, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo made the unusual decision to meet with Kotoni Staggs to help get him back on track. Now he’s set to make his NSW Blues debut.

When NRL boss Andrew Abdo took the unprecedented step of meeting with Kotoni Staggs in April last year the potential outcome was two-fold – he could either clean up his act or risk wasting his talent and ending up on the NRL scrap heap.

Abdo warned Staggs after the rising Broncos star had started to develop an off-field rap sheet. From a pub altercation to drunken advances towards a woman, Staggs’ career was at the crossroads.

Publicly, Abdo said at the time the game wanted him to be a “superstar, but if he keeps making poor decisions, then there will be consequences for that”.

The consequences were laid out during their meeting.

Abdo took time out this week to praise Staggs, who, after turning around his off-field behaviour, was rewarded with his first NSW jersey.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.

Just over a year ago Kotoni Stagg’s NRL career was hanging by a thread. Now he’s in the NSW Blues squad and set to make his State of Origin debut. Picture: Getty Images.

“I am really pleased for him,” Abdo told News Corp. “Kotoni has gone through a lot in his life and he made some poor decisions. When I met with him it was off the back of three or four breaches for different things.

“I found him to be honest and genuine. Obviously I learnt a lot about his background and his life and what he has been through. He is obviously an unbelievably talented player and athlete but it takes a human being to show commitment to change.

“We all make mistakes and then we have to think about – and show the discipline he shows as an athlete when he trains – to think about how he can turn his life around and become a role model for others.

“It had gotten to the point where it wasn’t just about match penalties or financial penalties, it was more around his attitude and willingness to adhere to the standards we set and whether he wanted this and commit to change.

“That doesn’t often happen when you go that level.

“The onus was on him to say to the NRL and the club that he would commit to change.”

Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues Training

“It is worth acknowledging the impact and effort that the Broncos have gone to, and their wellbeing manager Adam Walsh.

“But ultimately it comes down to the individual and their choice. I remember having the conversation around, ’Which way do you want to go from here?”

Staggs remembers the phone conversation well.

He knew Abdo was not bluffing in terms of needing to clean up his act.

“He spoke about the things I did,” Staggs said. “I listened to him. I know what kind of guy I am. He didn’t get to see that in me. I knew I had to turn it around there and then.

“He didn’t say it was my last chance. It was about not getting myself in bad situations and if you know it’s going to end up like that, just think twice before you do something.”

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has praised Kotoni Staggs for turning his life around. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Staggs never doubted his on-field ability.

Even when he created headlines for the wrong reasons he not once wavered in his belief that he would fulfil the goal he set as a five-year-old.

“I always wanted to play Origin,” Staggs said. “I was at the races watching with the boys and I saw (coach) Freddy’s (Brad Fittler) name pop up on my phone. I had butterflies in my stomach and he told me I was in the team.

“It’s been a long road and a lot of ups and down. I knew I had to keep my head and try to put stuff in the past. There was no moment where I thought I couldn’t get here. It was about putting myself in a good mindset and knowing what I could do off the field.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: CEO Andrew Abdo breaks silence on the meeting which saved Kotoni Staggs’ career