Parramatta forward Peni Terepo has been stood down over allegations of being drunk and abusive on a flight from Tonga to Auckland.
Terepo has become the latest NRL player to give the game a black eye during an off-season which has been disastrous for the game’s image.
It’s believed Terepo on Saturday was on a flight from Tonga, where he had been visiting family over the weekend, en route back to Sydney.
As a result of his disruptive behaviour, airline staff called ahead and he was met at Auckland Airport by police.
It’s understood he was spoken to and issued with an infringement notice before being put on a connecting flight to Australia.
After being informed of the incident on Monday, Eels officials took a dim view of his actions and stood him down, making him unavailable for their NRL season opener on Sunday.
“The Parramatta Eels have been made aware of an alcohol-related incident involving Peni Terepo from the weekend in New Zealand,” the club said in a statement.
“The club has stood Peni down immediately, including this week’s round-one game against Penrith.
“The club will now work with the relevant authorities in New Zealand, the NRL Integrity Unit and the RLPA to investigate the incident thoroughly.”
It is not the first time the Tongan international has fallen foul of the law in New Zealand.
In 2017, he was fined $15,000 and suspended for three games after failing to inform the club he had pleaded guilty to careless driving and refusing a blood-alcohol test.