NRL star Greg Inglis in court on drink-driving charge

South Sydney’s Greg Inglis has appeared in court over an incident that cost him the captaincy of Australia’s rugby league team.

Greg Inglis arrives at court today. Picture: AAP

South Sydney Rabbitohs captain Greg Inglis has avoided a conviction for speeding and driving drunk on a NSW road last year and will instead face an 18-month good behaviour bond.

Inglis was clocked by highway patrol police driving 19km/h over the speed limit on his way back to Sydney from Dubbo after the Koori Knockout competition and returned a mid-range drink driving result of 0.085.

The 31-year-old was charged on October 1 last year just hours after he was named the new captain of the Australian rugby league team. Inglis, who had no prior drink- driving offences on his record, lost the Australian captaincy the following day and was suspended from the month’s Test matches.

He was sentenced at Downing Centre Local Court today by Judge Graeme Henson who said the footy star’s loss of the captaincy, early guilty plea, and substantial charity work had to be taken into consideration.

“I can think of no greater punishment than being stripped of the captaincy,” Judge Henson said.

“By taking out the risk of error Mr Inglis, you take out the risk to your reputation.”

The footy star’s lawyer James Jordan pleaded guilty on his behalf in November.

Outside court, Inglis said he was remorseful and sorry for what happened but was grateful for the outcome.

“It’s just back into training now and [being the best] positive role model that I can for the community,” he said.