Blake Ferguson opens up on arrest nightmare and 29 nights in Japanese prison

Blake Ferguson was used to trouble and controversy during his rugby league career — but nothing compared to the nightmare of being locked up in Japan.

Blake Ferguson is still stranded in Japan awaiting a court appearance. Picture: Getty Images

Footy star Blake Ferguson has revealed the torment of 29 lonely nights inside a Japanese prison where no-one spoke English and he couldn’t contact his family or manager.

The 31-year-old winger had his phone and passport confiscated by Japanese police and a $1.5 million contract torn up by NEC Green Rockets after a shock arrest in January over an alleged restaurant assault and being caught in possession of cocaine.

The former Origin winger is still stranded in Japan awaiting a court appearance on March 3 at which he will plead guilty. His sentence will be handed down 10 days later.

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Blake Ferguson is still stranded in Japan awaiting a court appearance. Picture: Getty Images

Ferguson has become used to trouble and controversy during a colourful decade-long career in the NRL at the Cronulla Sharks, Canberra Raiders, Sydney Roosters and Parramatta Eels.

But nothing compared to the nightmare of being locked up for a month in the cells at Azabu Police station in Roppongi, a district in Tokyo known for its nightlife entertainment where the fallen NRL star found trouble.

“It’s been really lonely and boring,” Ferguson said in his first interview since the arrest.

“Time goes really slow when you’re locked up for a month.

“I didn’t hear anything from Australia because I didn’t have access to a phone.

“No contact with my family and no contact with my manager.

Blake Ferguson left Parramatta and the NRL to join the NEC Green Rockets in Japan. Picture: NRL Photos

“It was just me and some Japanese guys who couldn’t speak English. I read a few books but that was about it. The food was pretty ordinary and I got a really bad back.

“Seriously, the mattress would have been a centimetre thick. I could hardly stand up for a few days. I certainly wouldn’t want to go back.”

Ferguson insists he is not complaining.

“I was never expecting to be placed into a resort,” he said.

“I got myself into this mess and there’s no-one else to blame.

“I had too much to drink and put myself into a really shitty situation.

“Other than that I can’t say much about the case but I’m hopeful it will work out okay.

“I’m going to plead guilty and hopefully they will show some leniency. It’s important that I accept responsibility.”

The emotional pain is far greater than anything else.

Being cut off from his two boys, his daughter and his partner.

“I’m not really scared but I can’t wait to get home to see my kids,” he said.

“It’s been almost six months since I left.

“I’ve desperately missed my little girl, my boys and my partner.

“At least I’m out of the detention centre and I can facetime them every day.

“I’m just hoping to be home for my birthday on the 20th of March.”

Blake Ferguson has been cut off from his kids.

Blake Ferguson and Dominique Moraitis.

This is also about regaining the respect from his loved ones.

“My partner (Dominique) was obviously angry and upset about what I did,” he said.

“I’ll have to earn back her trust. I’ve let down a lot of people, not just my family.”

Ferguson’s agent Sam Ayoub says it’s too early to determine if the former Blues and Kangaroos winger will play NRL this year once he returns to Sydney.

“I don’t know what interest is out there because we haven’t gone to the clubs,” Ayoub said.

“Our priority is to get Blake home to his family and then take it from there.”

Ferguson played 249 NRL games before quitting Parramatta at the end of last season for Japanese rugby. He was Dally M winger of the year in 2018.

Originally published as Blake Ferguson opens up on arrest nightmare and 29 nights in Japanese prison