Vodafone Warriors managing director Jim Doyle today confirmed the six players penalised for breaching team standards have been fully reintegrated into the Vodafone Warriors’ NRL squad.
Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Konrad Hurrell, Sam Lisone and Albert Vete all trained last week while Manu Vatuvei, who was on medical leave, rejoined his team-mates today.
Doyle said the players had already apologised to their families, team-mates and the club’s football staff.
Today they made an apology to Vodafone Warriors staff, sponsors, members and fans.
In a statement the players said:
“We’re sorry for the embarrassment we’ve caused everyone who works for and supports the club.
“We didn’t meet club standards and know how much we have disappointed our families, team-mates, staff, sponsors, members and fans. Most of all, we let ourselves down.
“We have a lot of work to do to regain respect from those around us but we are fully committed to showing them how much they mean to us and how much we care for our club.
“We’d like to thank everyone who has supported us over the last week, especially the people at the club. Now we just want to look ahead and do all we can to help our team and the club.”
Doyle said discussions with the players were ongoing.
“We continue to work with them on welfare and education matters,” he said.
“We’ve also readdressed team standards with the entire squad.”
Vodafone Warriors head coach Andrew McFadden said his sole focus was now on football.
“Today is very much about moving forward for us as a club with a huge game this weekend against Penrith in Christchurch,” he said.
“While there is much we have learned from the past week, we are committed to ensuring we have a squad fully focused on the primary role of preparing for and playing against the Panthers this week.”
