Warriors star Josh Curran will miss Saturday’s round 19 clash against the Parramatta Eels after being handed down a breach notice following an NRL Integrity Unit investigation.
The NRL has proposed a two-match ban and a A$10,000 (NZ$10, 847) fine after Curran pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at the Port Macquarie Local Court last week.
Curran was a mysterious scratching from the Warriors’ side that was humbled 28-6 by the Rabbitohs in Auckland on Friday night after attending the hearing at Port Macquarie earlier in the week.
Curran avoided a conviction despite being placed on a 12-month good behaviour conditional release order.
He was charged following an incident where he assaulted a then 16-year-old in the Level Up nightclub in Port Macquarie early the morning after last year’s grand final night. The incident happened after Curran noticed the teen had allegedly been photographing and filming him without his consent.
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Josh Curran is set to be handed a two-match suspension and a $10, 847 fine.
The Warriors back row forward was not stood down by the NRL for the loss to the Rabbitohs but in his breach notice, the governing body has suggested it should count as the first match of his two game suspension after he was stood down by the club.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster was coy on Curran’s absence post the loss to the Rabbitohs saying he missed the match due to “tightness” after “a really big week”.
“You just never know with these things, we’ve got to tread real careful there,” he said when asked if Curran would be available for the Eels match.
As it did in Friday night’s loss to South Sydney, Curran’s absence against the Eels will compound the loss of Marata Niukore who not return until round 21 against the Raiders due to a three-match high tackle suspension.
Curran will return for the round 20 clash at Mt Smart against the Sharks.
The 24-year-old will also be directed to engage in and complete education and training as advised by the NRL following the incident.
Curran has five business days to respond to the breach notice.
