NRL: Kiwis star knocks-out coach in punch-up - report

Souths Coach Jason Taylor. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - NRL club South Sydney have launched an investigation into a altercation in which a player hit coach Jason Taylor to the ground.

News Limited reported Rabbitohs forward David Fa'alogo punched Taylor in the face at an inner Sydney hotel on Sunday night.

It said the New Zealander, who is leaving the club to join English Superleague outfit Huddersfield, was retaliating after Taylor punched him in the stomach.

It was claimed Fa'alogo took the action because he was winded by Taylor's blow and embarrassed in front of his teammates.

SMH.com.au has reported witness accounts that Taylor was knocked unconscious by the blow.

The players were out drinking following Souths' last match of the season, a win over Cronulla on Saturday night.

Witnesses told News Limited Taylor meant no malice in his punch but Fa'alogo did not find the incident funny.

Souths players picked up Taylor - who suffered a facial cut from the punch - and put him in a taxi.

It was alleged Fa'alogo said to Taylor as he was being taken to the cab, "Don't do it again."

"David admits there was an altercation with Jason but he doesn't think he has done anything wrong," Fa'alogo's manager Gavin Orr told News Limited.

"He will speak to the club tomorrow, as will I.

"I think they will look at some CCTV footage from the place where it happened. I don't know whether there was a punch thrown, but David doesn't reckon there was much in it.

"If the Rabbitohs think he has a case to answer, we will go in and talk to them."

South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson said. "We will look into it over the next 24 hours.

"The first I heard about it was when you told me this afternoon so we will take it from here.

"I haven't got all the details.

"But from what I understand there wasn't a brawl or a fight in the pub.

"I will find out more in the morning. It was nothing major although everything seems major in rugby league these days.

"There was some mucking around."

Fa'alogo was sent home for hitting a man at a cab rank during Souths trip to Jacksonville, Florida, two years ago.

He king hit Roosters playmaker Braith Anasta during a match in 2007 and was suspended for seven weeks.

- AAP