Eels forward Peni Terepo stood down for Round 1 following alcohol-fuelled incident on a flight

Parramatta forward Peni Terepo has been stood down for the club’s season opener and his future with the Eels is in serious doubt after an alcohol-fuelled incident on an Air New Zealand flight.

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Peni Terepo’s Parramatta future is in doubt after the Eels forward was stood down from this weekend’s NRL season opener following an alcohol-fuelled incident on an international flight.

The 27-year-old was on an Air New Zealand flight from Tonga to Auckland last Saturday night when he allegedly abused airline staff after refusing to hand over alcohol he brought on board in a disposable coffee cup.

The Tongan international then became involved in an argument with airline staff and is believed to have become abusive.

A source confirmed two police officers escorted Terepo, who later fell asleep on the flight, from the plane once it landed in Auckland.

Terepo has been stood down. Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images.

Eels officials are believed to be furious one of their players was drinking just a week out from the side’s round-one match against western Sydney rivals Penrith.

Terepo was expected to be named on the Eels’ interchange bench for the Panthers Stadium clash, but now his future at the Eels is uncertain.

The Eels released a statement on Monday afternoon confirming the incident and their intention to investigate it. But it’s understood if the report comes back damning, Terepo’s playing contract will be torn up.

“The Parramatta Eels have been made aware of an alcohol related incident involving Peni Terepo from the weekend in New Zealand,” the statement read.

“The club has stood Peni down immediately, including this week’s Round 1 game against Penrith.

Terepo may have played his final game for Parramatta. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

“The club will now work with the relevant authorities in New Zealand, the NRL Integrity Unit and the RLPA to investigate the incident thoroughly.”

“This process will then guide our next steps.”

The Eels almost sacked Terepo in 2017 after he failed to inform the club about a careless driving conviction he incurred in New Zealand in early 2017.

He pleaded guilty to careless driving and refusing a blood-alcohol test, after which the Eels fined him $15,000 and suspended him for three games.

But the club stood by the Tongan international and were rewarded as he produced two strong seasons for Parramatta and earned himself a two-year contract extension.

They are unlikely to be as forgiving this time, especially given NRL players are under no illusions of the spotlight they are currently under in relation to off-field behaviour.