Rugby League: Fracture 'penalty enough' for Toopi

By PETER JESSUP

The Warriors management has decided that a broken wrist is punishment enough for Clinton Toopi, but will review its procedures for players selected for rep teams in the wake of the incident in which the injury occurred.

Further details of the ruckus emerged yesterday, Toopi telling the club officials that he suffered the fracture when he fell to the ground as he was pushed away from a confrontation with Nigel Vagana.

There had been ribbing that the Warriors didn't deserve to be in the NRL grand final and a response from the Warrior. All had been drinking on a bar tab provided by the Kiwi team management.

Other players intervened, Toopi was tackled out of it and broke the wrist in the landing. The recriminations will continue for longer than they should have because all involved tried to stifle the details.

"Clinton has served his punishment," said Warriors chief executive Mick Watson after meeting the down-headed centre yesterday.

"He's hard on himself. He's put this selfishness behind him and focused on going forward."

The club had concerns that the incident that would restrict a top-class player from full preparation for next season for 12 weeks was alcohol-related and occurred seven days before a test match in an "unsupervised situation".

"It has to do with duty of care. You can't blame young blokes when they are given free alcohol and then make a mistake," Watson said.

The New Zealand Rugby League is still investigating. Watson said he had faith in the league board's decision-making and expected they would react so similar circumstances were not allowed to recur.

Toopi will have an MRI scan today but faces a 12-week recovery.

As for the Warriors, they will unveil a new home and away strip later this week.