Panthers star Apisai Koroisau says he has brought “shame and embarrassment to many people” in the wake of the latest NRL COVID-19 bubble breach.
Koroisau has been suspended for two matches and fined $35,000 over an incident during the recent State of Origin series.
The NRL claims Koroisau attended the hotel room of an individual who was not part of the team’s biosecurity bubble on June 27.
“I made the choice to do the wrong thing and my actions have brought shame and embarrassment to many people, especially my wife and children. I will be forever sorry,” Koroisau said in a statement.
“I sincerely apologise to the NRL, NSW Rugby League, Panthers, the sponsors and stakeholders, and all my teammates for letting you down.
“I apologise to the fans for putting our game at risk, particularly at such a challenging time for so many people.”
The 28-year-old acknowledged the hurt the incident has caused his wife.
“I apologise to my wife Amy for the pain I have caused. I’ve hurt you and the girls with my selfish, thoughtless actions,” he said.
“I’m determined to become a better partner, father and protector, and hopefully rebuild trust, and earn back your love and our family.
“I will work hard every day moving forward to show my wife, my children, my team and the rugby league community that I am not defined by my mistakes and I will grow from this.”
In the same statement, Koroisau’s wife, Amy, said she’s been devastated by the incident.
“While there have been some painful lies and misrepresentation in certain media reports, I don’t think it is in the best interests of our family to engage with it,” she said.
“Api is a great dad and although this has hurt me immensely I have no doubt he will put the necessary strategies in place to learn from this and better who he is.”
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said measures are being put in place to prevent a repeat.
“All club hotels, under quarantine orders, are currently fenced off from the public and patrolled by security 24 hours a day,” he said.
“We are taking every precaution to ensure there is no breach of the protocols and to keep the Queensland community safe.
“The environment has rapidly changed since this breach and players understand the consequences of failing to comply with the protocols.”
The Panthers said in a statement it supported the sanctions imposed by the NRL.
“Apisai has expressed genuine remorse for his actions and understands the potential ramifications of his decisions on the viability of the game,” the club said.
The NRL indicated the punishment would have been more severe, however it took into account the breach took place prior to more recent breaches, including the infamous St George Illawarra BBQ.
It’s the same punishment handed to Queensland’s Jai Arrow after he breached protocols during the State of Origin series.
News of Koroisau’s punishment comes on the same day Queensland’s chief health officer Jeanette Young says she’s “very close” to ending the hub agreement with the NRL.
“I’m very, very concerned about what is happening with these NRL players,” she said.
“This is too risky. We just cannot have people deliberately breaching the rules.”
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