ROCHDALE: England lock Victor Radley is under investigation by World Cup organisers after an alleged brawl with Ireland forward James Bentley after the hosts departed the tournament on Saturday afternoon (UK time).
The Sydney Morning Herald first reported about a fight, started by Bentley, in the team hotel on the outskirts of Manchester. There are also reports of another incident, involving two England players, with no further details provided.
Later reports claimed that Radley had headbutted Bentley after he had made disparaging remarks about England coach Shaun Wane. Bentley had been asked to leave the team hotel and refused to do so, causing Radley to step in.
“The Rugby League World Cup is aware of reported incidents and is in conversation with the respective parties to establish the circumstances,” said a World Cup spokesperson. “There will be no further comment at this time.”
The NRL Integrity Unit is also keeping an eye on what transpires. “The NRL Integrity Unit is aware of the matter and liaising with Rugby League World Cup officials,” an NRL spokesman told AAP.
The Herald also reported that England players had played pranks on the Samoan team, who moved from their tournament base to the Manchester area in preparation for the Final this Saturday.
The Irish side, in which Leeds forward Bentley featured, were knocked out of the tournament at the group stages.
Radley’s selection in the English squad was a controversial one, given he is Australia-born and based.
However the 24-year-old made the call to give up potential future NSW State of Origin representation by honouring his father’s heritage.
It is not the first time Radley has found himself in hot water.
(Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images)
He was suspended for two games at the start of 2021 for an incident in Byron Bay, although again it was claimed he was not the instigator of the situation.
He was also told by Roosters coach Trent Robinson midway through last year it was time to grow up and “act like a man in public” after being removed from a plane over alleged drunkenness.
The lock insisted he had heeded the message earlier this year, desperate to clean up his on-field and off-field act after a 2021 littered with suspensions.
“The last two years I haven’t played as much as I would have liked to,” Radley said in March. “I spoke last year about how I wanted to be a leader, and I didn’t really do that.”
Tonegato stars as Jillaroos stroll to Final
Emma Tonegato led Australia’s demolition of Papua New Guinea as the Jillaroos cruised through to the final of the Women’s Rugby League World Cup with 82-0 victory in York.
They will face the Kiwi Ferns – who should have beaten them last week in the group stage – after New Zealand overcame England 20-6 in the other semi.
On a foggy and chilly night at the LNER Community Stadium, the Jillaroos ran in 15 tries – Tonegato and centre Isabelle Kelly contributing hat-tricks – as the Orchids’ campaign came to an abrupt end.
Australia will play the winner of the other semi-final between tournament hosts England and New Zealand at Old Trafford on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) as part of a finals double header with the Kangaroos and Samoa men.
Tonegato played at fullback but will likely come off the bench in the final with co-captain Sam Bremner expected to return to the starting line-up.
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The victory was Australia’s biggest against PNG and was the third time this tournament in which Brad Donald’s side have kept an opponent scoreless.
Keeley Davis kicked off Australia’s rout when burrowed over from close range and by the time half-time came around the Jillaroos led 40-0
Kelly had her hat-trick with Evania Pelite, Shaylee Bent, Shenae Ciesiolka and Olivia Kernick following her and Davis over the whitewash before the break.
The half-time break didn’t halt the trouble for PNG, with Jessica Sergis going over straight after the interval, Ciesiolka added one more and Tonegato chimed in with her hat-trick.
With AAP
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
They have got to justify their salaries, wonder how much they get paid. The two biggest blow ups lately, Pongia in the dunny and Munster/Smith white powder the integrity unit got a zero result, dealt with by the clubs. Milford wiped out for six months and lost Rabbits contract , Qld police- nothing. he should sue the NRL , And the NRL should stop thinking they are my moral guides, Starting to sound a bit like "Hillsong"
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Penrith is about an hour and a half North of Manchester. There'll be Penrith fans at the game. Oh the irony.
Nat
Roar Guru
It's got nothing to do with sport. This is your character. This is how you conduct yourself when you think no one knows who you are. That's why people you care about don't look you in the eye.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
And the latest news is the integrity unit are really pushing for all the " evidence" from the RLWC but they're not inclined to hand it over . As I said the integrity unit are vultures looking for something to get their noses in .
Vichy
Roar Rookie
Exactly Nat you're telling the story.. just remember these insults all because someone took the piss out of your 2 state sport. Not religion or politics but a backwater sport
JennyFromPenny
Guest
The NRL protocols do indicate that violent behaviour can be concussion related, although I would say this one would have been purely intercept-pass related.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
So a couple of blokes on the drink have a punch up in a pub, who cares ? Stick your head in at the Anglers Arms or the Lost World on the Gold Coast and watch the circus. Radley's season with the Roosters has ended and he is on leave , NRL Integrity Unit and PVL need to butt out. The double standards from NRL is laughable. Kelly and Hass miss a game for a push and shove outside a pub Tino and Collins have a violent training run in and despite being reported world wild its OK ?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Poor bloody Victor.. just after he started getting much deserved kudos for his on field performances, his Mr Hyde persona teams up with a pint or ten and he’s back to playing the goose again. He is one hell of a slow learner that boy. Shame
Nat
Roar Guru
You imagine a lot of things. All these little scenarios that mean you're not a weak little boy hiding in the shadows. With no self respect so you have none to give. I bet you do care what your parents think but you're too far past redemption for being this person.
Vichy
Roar Rookie
Imagine if I did say it in person they'd wait till I'd turn around and then hit me. Either that or hit their mrs
Nat
Roar Guru
That's all it is. There is no separation to what you do and who you are. This is it. Being anonymous doesn't hide character it reveals it. This is your contribution to the world. You haunt every league social platform known just for the sole purpose of being an A. You would have the balls to say anything to a grown man in person. Such a sad thing for your parents to know this is their work. I bet they don't speak of you at all.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
The integrity unit are there , waiting like vultures in a tree . Any way he's a POM now let them deal with it . But old mate Pete will want his pound of flesh.
Hugo da Yugo
Guest
"couple of bulls sorting the yard" A cuppla wether's dry humping each other more likely.
Vichy
Roar Rookie
Na it's nothing like that Nat. Wrong again. Notice how it's "Your" Game? As I said it's good to see the passion of you apologists
Nat
Roar Guru
Wrong again factsy, I do read other code articles that interest me and when I find the likes of you trolls pretending to represent my game I call you out. You are deluded. You think it's about the game. It's not. It's you as a person. This is your life and in no world is anyone close to you proud of what you've made of your life.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
The two semis were terrific games. It's the RL reality that a World Cup lacks depth but that's why you play them, to build interest. There were QF games of absolute integrity in this tournament and that couldn't have been said before. Proper progress and a cracking final in store
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
ah yes, we can claim Radley being a Pom & that he should get everything coming to him
Lauro
Guest
Hopefully this stupidity will not in any way overshadow what has been a fabulous World Cup across all three tournaments which will do wonders for the game internationally.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
What about after the world cup?
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
I hope they get Radley to officiate