Reni Maitua of the Eels. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty
Images)
Parramatta have sacked Toyota Cup player Shaun Anderson
for knocking out clubmate and NRL star Reni Maitua on a night
out in Kings Cross.
The Eels say they have conducted a full investigation into
the incident that took place over the weekend outside the
Tunnel nightclub in Kings Cross, and have cleared senior
player Maitua of any wrongdoing.
Anderson, 18, has had his contract terminated for punching
Maitua to the ground.
It's the second up-and-coming talent the Eels have sacked in
the past week, after they also tore up the contract of Jamil
Hopoate for bad behaviour at an NRL rookie camp in Sydney.
Eels chief executive Ken Edwards said the club would continue
to take a hard line.
"I make no apology for the club's firm policy on player
behaviour,'' Edwards said in an Eels statement.
"When a player signs with Parramatta, they acknowledge the
high standards of behaviour expected. Our players need to be
committed to the club, their teammates, our members and
supporters.
"As a club we will continue to strive for excellence and
foster a culture of respect, inclusiveness and teamwork.''
Anderson claimed on Channel Nine that the Eels had showed
favouritism by clearing Maitua, who is being touted as a
future captain of the club.
"I thought he was about to deck me ... so I stood back and
hit him first and that's what happened. And then he was out
cold on the ground,'' said Anderson.
"It's an NRL player's word against an under 20s player's
word. Straight up they're going to pick the NRL player aren't
they?''
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