Canterbury players Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor have been stood down for the opening round of the NRL.
Canterbury have stood down NRL players Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor just days before the season begins, with the club yet to explain what they had done.
The Bulldogs sent an email to members on Tuesday afternoon confirming the pair were unavailable for selection, but claimed neither were the subject of a criminal investigation.
The full statement from Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill reads as follows.
Both players have been provisionally suspended by the NRL and neither player is available for selection for Thursday night’s NRL season opener against Parramatta.
The Bulldogs referred the matter to the NRL Integrity Unit after receiving concerning reports of alleged misconduct by the two players. The Club also initiated its own internal review.
While neither player is the subject of a criminal investigation, the Club is treating the matter very seriously. The allegations are that each player engaged in behaviour that represents a serious breach of the NRL Rules and the Bulldogs’ Code of Conduct, resulting in the NRL notice.
The Club supports the NRL’s decision to issue the breach notices and will continue to work with the NRL to conclude the process.
Both players have an opportunity to respond to the matters alleged in the breach notice before any final decision is made.”