Brisbane Broncos Pat Carrigan and Adam Reynolds cleared to play in season opener in Las Vegas
An NRL integrity probe has handed down punishment to Brisbane Broncos Pat Carrigan and Adam Reynolds after their public spat.
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Brawling Broncos Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan have been cleared to play in Las Vegas following an NRL integrity-unit investigation into their drunken spat.
This masthead can reveal Reynolds and Carrigan have each been slapped with fines of $10,000, $5000 of which is suspended, in the wake of their alcohol-fuelled ‘WrestleMania’ bust-up last Sunday night.
Broncos trio Corey Oates, Reece Walsh and Payne Haas were also in the crosshairs of the NRL integrity probe, but have been handed only a warning after being cleared of any wrongdoing.
Carrigan and Reynolds were officially hit with breach notices from the NRL on Friday alleging a breach of the NRL’s code of conduct following their drunken antics after Brisbane’s successful fan day.
The Broncos are considering their position and have five days to respond to the breach notice.
But Brisbane are almost certain to accept the NRL’s recommended sanctions given that Carrigan and Reynolds have avoided match suspensions _ clearing the duo for the Broncos’ season opener against the Roosters in Vegas on March 3.
Footage was leaked of drunken duo Carrigan and Reynolds wrestling in a scuffle that spilled into a Brisbane parkland and attracted the attention of nearby patrolling police.
Fresh footage also emerged of Haas, Walsh and Oates appearing to skylark by emulating Reynolds and Carrigan with a friendly pile on.
But the trio’s actions went down like a lead balloon with NRL authorities, who reminded Haas, Walsh and Oates of their responsibilities under the NRL code of conduct.
Just last week, Walsh faced a nervous wait for a visa to enter America _ his application was escalated to US Immigration officials _ after a cocaine possession charge in 2021.
As Brisbane prepare to launch the NRL pre-season challenge in Sunday’s trial against the Cowboys in Mackay, Walters implored Broncos stars to be on their best behaviour in Vegas.
“You would expect them to behave over there,” Walters said on Tuesday.
“I am confident of that because we’ve had an immaculate last couple of years.
“No one from outside the club was involved (in the Reynolds-Carrigan altercation), so all we’ve done is hurt ourselves and the brand rather than the public.
“It’s very exciting to be part of the NRL’s event in Vegas.
“Getting away as a group together on a longer-term journey, 15 hours in the air and 10 or 12 days in the US, it’s all new to all of us with new training facilities and living over there in a camp.
“It’s a good chance for us to bond as a team, but my message to the players is we’re going there to win.
“We’re taking this seriously and I’m sure the three other teams are feeling the same way … it won’t be a holiday.”
Walters knows all eyes are on the Broncos this season. His troops are coming off a grand-final performance and bookmakers have installed Brisbane among the favourites to win this year’s NRL premiership.
The Broncos coach insists the Reynolds-Carrigan clash is not a sign the club has an alcohol problem, adamant the club has worked overtime to rebuild the club from wooden spooners to title contenders.
“At the end of the day, what happened on Sunday night, no-one condones it, but it’s happened and we have to move on,” he said.
“I don’t feel like they have let me down. They have let themselves down.
“Patty is a terrific person, he does so much work in the community. As a club we have got in and supported our players, but we are also respectful of the situation and we’re dealing with it appropriately.
“Alcohol is a problem in society, not just in rugby league, and we are part of society.
“I’m not sure how much alcohol was consumed. It’s not ideal. It’s not a great example and we’re not proud of it, but we all make mistakes.
“They have let some people down and that’s never nice. But we have a trial to play on Sunday night, then it’s round 1 in Vegas and that’s where our focus is.”
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