Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs is the subject of another NRL investigation

Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs has placed his future in doubt again after another incident involving alcohol at a Brisbane hotel.

Sidelined Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs is the subject of an integrity unit investigation

Brisbane officials are ready to read the riot act to centre Kotoni Staggs amid revelations that another incident involving alcohol had raised the ire of the NRL and placed his immediate playing future in jeopardy.

Staggs, currently sidelined with a knee injury, was already in the crosshairs of NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo following a series of incidents in the pre-season.

The NRL has been concerned with his behaviour for some time, a point Abdo rammed home to Staggs earlier this year when he ordered the Broncos centre to undergo counselling for issues including alcohol before he would be allowed to return to the game.

The latest indiscretion occurred over the Easter weekend, when it is understood Staggs upset a woman at a Brisbane hotel.

The woman took offence to Staggs touching her and asked the Broncos star to get his hands off her. The issue became heated with security intervening and ejecting Staggs from the premises.

Police were not involved and it is understood the woman and her family were satisfied with an apology.

However, the Broncos informed the NRL integrity unit of the issue and given his history, he is facing further sanctions. Brisbane are also believed to be upset with his behaviour, something key officials are expected to point out at a meeting next week.

There are genuine fears at both the Broncos and the NRL that Staggs is in danger of wasting his enormous talent unless he can learn to control his behaviour when he drinks.

The latest incident comes at a crucial juncture in his career. Staggs is off contract at the end of the season and has options on the table, led by the Broncos.

Gold Coast were also in the mix for Staggs and although they have publicly withdrawn from the race for his signature, it is understood they were willing to reconsider had he indicated he wanted to join the Titans.

That stance may have changed in the wake of the latest dramas. The NRL’s position hasn’t shifted. Abdo spoke to Staggs some weeks ago and made clear the NRL’s position — he would not be welcomed back to play rugby league unless he attended the relevant courses and demonstrated he would not offend again.

“He is not able to play until he has come back to us — and he hasn’t done that,” Abdo said.

“I put the onus on him. We required him to undergo some education and training and come back to us to show he can comply with the rules. It is not up to us to arrange that.
“It is him who wants to play.”

The Broncos hope to have some clarity around Staggs’ future in coming weeks. The club has patiently waited for a response to their lucrative multimillion-dollar deal but it is now expected to include some caveats as the Broncos deal with Staggs in the same way did blockbusting forward Tevita Pangai.

Pangai was told in no uncertain terms that he was on his last chance at the club last season when he found himself in trouble. He has bounced back this season and was among the club’s best in their loss to Penrith last weekend.

“We’re aware of the situation with the NRL integrity unit and we will leave it in their safe hands,” Brisbane coach Kevin Walters said.

“I won’t make any more comment than that, but we are certainly aware of the situation and that it is being investigated by the NRL. We’ll support Kotoni and the NRL in their investigations.

“I’ve spoken to him about it, (I was made aware of it) a couple of days ago. We are up here to play against the Eels, Kotoni is not here but we are supporting him, like we would all our players in this situation.

“We have full respect for the NRL and the integrity unit in their investigation, we support them 100 per cent as well.

“I expect (an answer) in the next week or two ... but I’m very confident we will hang on to Kotoni, I can see him wearing a Broncos jersey next year.”

Titans coach Justin Holbrook was less effusive when he was asked about Staggs on Thursday morning after reports emerged that the Gold Coast had withdrawn their interest.

“I am not sure what he will end up doing,” Holbrook said. “I don’t really know where it sits. thought he would stay at Brisbane was my gut feel on it all.”