NRL 2020: Kotoni Staggs expected to play after sex tape leak

Kotoni Staggs’ teammates cheered him onto the training field and he is expected to play on Friday after being caught in a sex tape scandal.

Kotoni Staggs wasn’t expecting to be caught up in a scandal like this.

Kotoni Staggs is free to play this week after being interviewed by the NRL Integrity Unit over a revenge porn video that was distributed on Tuesday.

It’s been reported the video was leaked by a woman known to the Broncos centre without his consent. The Courier Mail reports Staggs is exploring his legal options over the incident, which triggered a complaint to Queensland Police.

At training on Wednesday, Staggs’ teammates cheered him onto the field. Channel 7 reporter Chris Garry tweeted: “The Broncos team just cheered Staggs on to the training field as if he was playing a milestone game. That’s one way to make it less awkward.”

Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold said Staggs has done nothing wrong and will be available for selection against South Sydney on Friday night.

“My understanding is there is nothing Kotoni has done wrong. I don’t want to prejudice anything further there, I will leave it to the NRL to handle,” Seibold said.

“Kotoni has had an interview with the Integrity Unit this morning. As a club and as his coach, I have no further comment to make, he has done that this morning and we will leave it to the integrity unit to handle going forward.

“It’s really challenging for Kotoni.

“I don’t want to draw too much attention to the case because I don’t think it’s the right thing to do, but Kotoni’s welfare is at the forefront of what we are trying to do.

“He will play, he is excited about playing on Friday night and we will put some support around him there.”

Kotoni Staggs has been one of the few shining lights for Brisbane this year.

Channel 9’s Ben Dobbin reported on Triple M this morning the video had “come through clubland in the NRL”.

“This was done in November last year and it came from a rival NRL club so somebody has sent it to a player,” Dobbin said.

“In some ways you could say is it revenge? Is it sabotage? What is it about?”

In a statement on Tuesday, Staggs’ club said: “The Brisbane Broncos have been made aware of a video recording involving Kotoni Staggs being circulated on social media.

“The video is of a highly personal nature and has been released without his consent.

“The club is working closely with the NRL Integrity Unit, having alerted it as soon as becoming aware of the issue.”