Canterbury players Okunbor and Harawira-Naera reinstated

Corey Harawira-Naera has apologised and vowed to work hard to resume his career after the NRL appeals committee reinstated his contract.

Corey Harawira-Naera is in the sights of several clubs after having his registration reinstated. 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 de-registering 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. In a statement released to The Australian, he insisted he wanted to put the matter behind him and concentrate on resuming his career.

Jayden Okunbor was handed a 14-week ban. Picture: David Swift.

“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”

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.

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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.

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.