Controversial Bulldogs pair re-instated

NRL’s bottom side Canterbury Bulldogs are set to welcome back controversial pair Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor.

The two players had their registrations cancelled by the NRL in April over their involvement in a pre-season incident involving schoolgirls they had met during a coaching clinic at a local high school in Port Macquarie.

The fall out caused the Bulldogs to lose their main sponsor, and they have played in jerseys without a main sponsor throughout the campaign.

But the NRL Appeals Committee revised the pair’s sanctions on Monday, which means back-rower Harawira-Naera has served all but one game of the 10-match ban handed down to him.

NRL acting CEO told NRL.com: “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.

“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.”

Winger Okunbor still has a month to serve on a 14-game ban, and so wouldn’t be available for selection until round 15.