By Michael Chammas, Danny Weidler and Adam Pengilly
Josh Addo-Carr has officially been suspended by the NRL for two Test matches for his involvement in a brawl during the Koori Knockout over the weekend.
The NRL has called Penrith star Dylan Edwards into the squad as a replacement for the Canterbury winger.
The NRL spoke to Addo-Carr on Wednesday as part of an investigation into the brawl at the Indigenous football carnival on the Central Coast.
The governing body handed him the two-game ban on Friday morning.
This masthead contacted NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys on Thursday, but both declined to comment when asked about Addo-Carr’s removal from the squad. Australia coach Mal Meninga did not respond to calls.
Under the new collective bargaining agreement struck between the NRL and Rugby League Players’ Association, the NRL is prohibited from announcing proposed sanctions until after the player has had five days to respond.
Josh Addo-Carr in action for the Bulldogs.Credit: Getty
Addo-Carr will on Friday be given the opportunity to respond. The Bulldogs were unaware of the sanction when contacted by this masthead on Thursday about Edwards’ inclusion in the squad.
Edwards, one of the unsung heroes of Penrith’s come-from-behind premiership triumph, is expected to be considered as a winger by Meninga despite being overlooked for selection in the original 21-man squad.
The Kangaroos play their first match of the Pacific Championships against Samoa in Townsville on October 14.
Dylan Edwards has been called into the Kangaroos squad.Credit: Getty
Halfback Nathan Cleary was a late scratching after sustaining a knee injury in the grand final. He has been replaced by Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes.
Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans is the frontrunner to partner Cameron Munster in the halves for the opening game of the Tri-series, which also includes New Zealand.
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