NRL: Kiwi Cowboys make up after brawl

Steve Rapira was sent for x-rays after getting into a fight with Cowboys teammate James Tamou. Photo / Getty Images

The North Queensland Cowboys league club insist their Kiwi connection James Tamou and Steve Rapira are "great mates" again, despite a fight between the pair which saw Rapira sent for x-rays.

Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr confirmed the former Junior Kiwis forwards traded punches in the Townsville flat they share after the National Rugby League (NRL) team's end-of-season Mad Monday drinking session.

But the club boss denied reports in Rugby League Week magazine that Rapira, the club's rookie-of-the-year, had his jaw broken by Tamou.

"It was a disagreement between two best friends, how long has that being going?," Parr said.

"It wasn't serious. The coach (Neil Henry) knew about it, I informed our chairman and I talked to the two players concerned and neither wanted it to go any further.

"It didn't happen in public, it happened at their flat after they'd been out and I didn't think it was all that serious.

"We only knew about it because (Rapira) turned up for training the next day sporting a shiner."

Parr said Waikato-raised Rapira was sent for an x-ray as a precaution.

Rapira, the brother of Warriors and Kiwis prop Sam, originally joined the Warriors but shifted to the Cowboys this year in search of better opportunities and impressed in his debut season.

Second-rower Tamou made his name in New Zealand with the Levin Knights before crossing the Tasman and being signed by the Sydney Roosters, before linking with the Cowboys this year.

Said Parr: "Altercations between brothers and best mates have been going on for a long time.

"They're still living together and still great mates.

"As if we would cover up a teammate breaking another player's jaw. To think you can cover things up these days is absolutely ridiculous.

"If I thought it was serious we would have acted on it."

NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley contacted Parr yesterday about the report and was satisfied with his explanation.

He said the players settled the disagreement and he didn't consider it "a major incident".

- NZPA