Josh Addo-Carr punch: NRL integrity unit investigates

Latrell Mitchell has made a surprise appearance at the Koori knockout tournament a day after Josh Addo-Carr was involved in an ugly brawl which is now the subject of an investigation.

Winger Josh Addo-Carr is facing a nervous 48-hour wait to get an integrity unit clearance to be selected for the Kangaroos following his role in a wild brawl at the Koori knockout on Saturday.

Integrity unit boss Jason King will speak to police, attempt to interview Addo-Carr and study social media videos before making a judgement.

Coach Mal Meninga and the Australian selectors will name the Kangaroos on Tuesday.

Addo-Carr was to be an automatic selection before the drama on the Central Coast on Saturday.

Josh Addo-Carr's Kangaroos jersey is under threat after the alleged Koori knockout punch.

BAN THREAT FOR SYDNEY ALL BLACKS

Koori Knockout bosses are believed to be considering issuing a life ban to Addo-Carr’s team the Sydney All Blacks.

Walgett had a star-studded line-up including former Dally M Medallist Ben Barba, who played five-eighth and turned back the clock with a five-star performance.

It is understood tournament officials investigating the incident said Walgett had no case to answer over the incident.

An onlooker close to the fight rubbished suggestions a Walgett player provoked Addo-Carr by slapping him in the head.

Addo-Carr Instagram post.

“It was stupid. It ruined a great game of footy,” he said.

“No-one hit Josh in the head.

“He got tackled hard, but it doesn’t give you the right to hit a bloke. He just didn’t like losing, simple as that. It was a huge game, the crowd was 10 deep, people can be competitive.

“The way this transpired was not good.

“It was a remarkable game.

“It’s quite sad it ended like that because it was a cracking game, it was intense. It was the biggest game of the day. There are usually five fields with games at the same time and there were about 10,000 people at this one small ground.

“There were kids on poles. It was an insane atmosphere.

“It was a poor show of behaviour from Foxx. It was a low act.

“He was walking on the sideline and just went whack.”

LATRELL MAKES AN APPEARANCE FOR THE YOWIES

South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell has made a surprise appearance at the Koori knockout tournament a day after good mate Addo-Carr was involved in the ugly brawl.

Mitchell, who was ruled out of the upcoming Pacific Nations tournament with a finger injury, was given permission by the Rabbitohs to play in the knockout tournament on the proviso that he wore a splint.

The Rabbitohs fullback has played for the Newcastle Yowies in the past but was expected to attend the tournament this year purely as a spectator due to his finger problem.

Latrell Mitchell (2R) playing in the Koori knockout tournament.

However, this masthead obtained a photo of playing for the Yowies, sprinkling some magic dust on an event which is littered with current and former NRL stars.

“We allowed him to play,” Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly said.

“He didn’t require surgery in the end but he has to wear a splint.”

Mitchell was tipped to be selected in the Kangaroos squad for the Pacific Nations tournament but withdrew on medial advice given concerns over his finger.

Some will no doubt question his presence at the Koori Knockout as a result but there is an acknowledgment that Mitchell can play the indigenous tournament in a dinner suit, while he would not be afforded that luxury in international football.

Among Mitchell’s teammates at the Koori Knockout are Tyrell Sloan and Jayden Sullivan.

Jack Wighton and Isaiah Tass played for Walgett alongside former Dally M medal winner Ben Barba while Cody Walker played for Bundjalung and the Fifita boys – Andrew and David – represented Griffith along with former Melbourne star Curtis Scott.

Originally published as Josh Addo-Carr punch: NRL integrity unit investigates