Jayden Okunbor, Corey Harawira-Naera contracts reinstated by NRL

While the Bulldogs decide what to do with Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor, there are suitors lining up, ready to give the duo a second chance after being given the green light to return to the NRL.

Corey Harawira-Naera could take the field for the Bulldogs within the month. Picture: Getty Images

Canterbury forward Corey Harawira-Naera has apologised for his conduct and vowed to work hard to resume his career after the NRL appeals committee reinstated his contract with the Bulldogs on Monday.

Harawira-Naera and teammate Jayden Okunbor were deregistered by the NRL on April 1 following a finding of serious breaches of the league’s code of conduct in the lead-up to a trial match in Port Macquarie in February.

The pair broke team rules by bringing women back to their Port Macquarie hotel on a pre-season trip. The incident cost the club a major sponsor and the NRL reacted by deregistering the pair.

They promptly launched appeals and have had their contracts reinstated, although they were fined and received suspensions.

In Harawira-Naera’s case, it was a 10-game ban and $15,000. He has already missed nine matches, meaning he could be back in a fortnight.

Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Corey Harawira-Naera could take the field for the Bulldogs within the month. Picture: Getty Images

In a statement released to News Corp, he insisted he wanted to put the matter behind him and concentrate on resuming his career.

“At the outset, I wish to apologise for my conduct,” he said.

“I have, at all times been open and honest with the NRL and the Integrity Unit. I have always admitted that my conduct fell short of the conduct that is required of a person in my position, however the widespread speculation as to what occurred contained many inaccuracies and falsehoods.

“Having said that, I am conscious that there are other people affected by this incident and I do not intend to make further comment about private matters. I am grateful to those who have supported me through this difficult time and I am grateful to the Appeals Committee for the consideration they have given this matter. I accept the penalty that has been imposed.

“The last few months has given me plenty of time to reflect upon my choices and it is now my intention to work hard to resume my playing career. I have a renewed determination to demonstrate that not only am I worthy of playing in the NRL, but that I am also worthy of the opportunity that I now have”

Jayden Okunbor has also had his penalty reduced by the NRL. Picture: Getty Images

While Harawira-Naera could be back in a fortnight, Jayden Okunbor may be forced to wait a little longer — his sanction was reduced to a 14-week ban and a $22,500 fine.

Regardless, the only question is now where they will land. The Bulldogs have the option of bringing both players back in the fold but that would require forgiveness on either side and it feels like too much bad blood has flowed.

In Harawira-Naera’s case, there are options aplenty. At least four clubs have expressed an interest in the New Zealand backrower and he will have no trouble finding a new home should Canterbury opt to cut him loose.

Okunbor has interest as well, although the priority of both players is to find out where they stand with the Bulldogs. As of Monday, the front of Canterbury’s jersey was still a blank canvas, although there was talk that the club was closing in on a major backer.

It remains to be seen how Monday’s decision impacts on those talks. Despite the fallout from the incident, the appeals committee ruled the sanctions against the pair were too harsh, deeming they should have their contracts reinstated.

There had been speculation that the club would owe the pair back-pay given they have been off the payroll since the start of April. However, under section 14 of the playing contract, the Bulldogs are within their rights to effectively fine any player one 30th of their contract for each week they are absent provided they miss eight weeks or more.

In both cases, they are yet to play this season and the club would be well within their rights to withhold any more they would have be owed until now.

The Bulldogs’ only decision is therefore whether to embrace them or put them up for sale. If they decide the latter, Harawira-Naera will have no shortage of suitors and the number could rise depending on what Brisbane backrower David Fifita decides.

Fifita is expected to make a final call on his future within days and the Gold Coast are among the clubs who have been offered the chance to speak to Harawira-Naera.

They may choose to go down that path if Fifita opts to stay in Brisbane. Rare is it that the NRL loses a case on appeal but they found themselves on the wrong side of the ledger on Monday.

MORE NRL:

Bulldogs sex scandal verdict: NRL comes down hard on Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor

Siosiua Taukeiaho stakes claim for best prop in the world | NRL Tackle

Penrith won’t stand in way of Trent Barrett move to Canterbury Bulldogs as Eddie Jones sounds out coaching job

Okunbor was suspended for 14 matches, fined $22,500 and ordered to undergo a course of counselling or community service as directed by NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.

“The NRL took the action which it considered necessary given the serious breaches of the code of conduct – breaches the Appeals Committee also found to be serious,” Abdo said.

“The independent appeals committee has taken a different view on what penalty the players should face and although we are disappointed, we respect the outcome.”

The Bulldogs added: “The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have this afternoon been advised by the NRL of the appeal process result for Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor.

“We are now working with the NRL to determine how this process will be implemented and will await further advice from the NRL on the next stage.”

It is understood the club was locked in talks on Monday night as they digested the appeal result and discussed the future of their coach Dean Pay.

Pay has struggled to get results this season, his cause to helped by the absence of Harawira-Naera and Okunbor from the playing group.

Regardless, their record of only one win from their opening nine games left Pay on thin ice.

Having been reinstated to rugby league by the NRL appeals committee, deregistered forward Corey Harawira-Naera could now make a shock return for Canterbury on Sunday-week against Newcastle.

And another suspended Bulldogs player, winger Jayden Okunbor, could be back for the club’s round 15 game against New Zealand Warriors.

Harawira-Naera would need to be immediately forced into an isolation bubble to be cleared for the Knights game.

Both players were deregistered by the NRL – and then had their contracts terminated by Canterbury – after having sex with two teenage girls at Port Macquarie in February.

It was alleged Harawira-Naera and Okunbor took the school students back to their hotel room for consensual sex after a promotional school visit before a trial game against Canberra on February 29.

The two players were deregistered on April 1 for what the NRL said were “serious breaches of the league’s code of conduct.”

Yet an NRL appeals committee on Monday overturned the original penalty and re-registered both players with Canterbury under revised penalties.

NRL interim CEO Andrew Abdo admitted to being “disappointed.”

Harawira-Naera will be suspended for 10 matches and fined $15,000, Okunbor banned for 14 games, fined $22,500 and ordered to undergo counselling and community service. With time served, both players could be back inside the next six weeks.

Harawira-Naera and Okunbor may jump in first and quit Canterbury, given there will be considerable interest in both.

The Warriors, Dragons and Raiders are all believed to have shown interest in Harawira-Naera, a New Zealand Test player.

It is unknown when Canterbury will reach a decision.

The Bulldogs came out strongly earlier this year when tearing up their contracts with a club statement reading: “Our united view as a club is that a firm line must be drawn in the sand to uphold the standards and values that define our club.

“We want to assure our members, partners and supporters that we have outstanding people at the Bulldogs who are working harder than ever to make sure anyone associated with our club understands that we have a culture that we all live by and that this type of behaviour will simply not be tolerated.”

The Rugby League Players Association on Monday night supported the decision.

“An independent appeals process being available to review integrity related decisions is fundamental to ensuring players are afforded due process and a fair hearing in these matters,” a statement said.

“The RLPA will continue to work with both players, the NRL and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs regarding their return to training and playing commitments.”

The NRL released a press statement on Monday evening confirming the decision to overturn the initial ban.

“The NRL took the action which it considered necessary given the serious breaches of the code of conduct – breaches the Appeals Committee also found to be serious,” said Abdo.

“The independent appeals committee has taken a different view on what penalty the players should face and although we are disappointed, we respect the outcome.”

Despite being kicked out of rugby league, both players were not the subject of a criminal investigation as each girl was above the age of sexual consent, which is 16 years old in NSW.

Originally published as Jayden Okunbor, Corey Harawira-Naera contracts reinstated by NRL