Berkeley_Eagle
Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
NRL leaves door ajar for Henjak
Friday, February 22, 2008 - 5:01 PM
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/7905/Default.aspx
The door has been left ajar by the NRL for disgraced Western Force halfback Matt Henjak to switch codes.
Henjak was sacked by the Super 14 team on Tuesday night after a disciplinary committee found him guilty of breaking the jaw of team-mate Haig Sare.
That decision was rubber-stamped by the Australian Rugby Union on Friday.
A history of alcohol-related incidents ensures Henjak's future lies in rugby overseas or switching to rugby league.
His manager Greg Keenan began shopping Henjak around to NRL clubs this week, receiving a luke warm response.
But NRL chief executive David Gallop said in Brisbane that if a club made an approach to Henjak, the league would consider his case.
"We certainly want to have a look at addressing the issues that he obviously has got," he said.
"But at this stage we will wait and see if one our of clubs goes forward with an approach to him.
"I wouldn't rule it out (Henjak playing NRL) but we want to know how he is addressing his personal issues."
Gallop was confident NRL clubs were doing enough to stamp out similar alcohol-related incidents.
"It's unrealistic to expect that there won't be these types of incidents from time to time - young blokes in any code are going to make mistakes," he said.
"The pleasing thing for us is that our clubs have got in and not only stepped up the education of younger players but also where necessary we have seen players penalised, contracts terminated.
"Clubs are realising that these matters need to be dealt with appropriately.
"I think rugby league is doing a reasonable job on that front."
Henjak is reportedly set to be thrown a lifeline by a rugby side in Europe with three clubs in England and France expressing interest.
Source: AAP
Friday, February 22, 2008 - 5:01 PM
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/7905/Default.aspx
The door has been left ajar by the NRL for disgraced Western Force halfback Matt Henjak to switch codes.
Henjak was sacked by the Super 14 team on Tuesday night after a disciplinary committee found him guilty of breaking the jaw of team-mate Haig Sare.
That decision was rubber-stamped by the Australian Rugby Union on Friday.
A history of alcohol-related incidents ensures Henjak's future lies in rugby overseas or switching to rugby league.
His manager Greg Keenan began shopping Henjak around to NRL clubs this week, receiving a luke warm response.
But NRL chief executive David Gallop said in Brisbane that if a club made an approach to Henjak, the league would consider his case.
"We certainly want to have a look at addressing the issues that he obviously has got," he said.
"But at this stage we will wait and see if one our of clubs goes forward with an approach to him.
"I wouldn't rule it out (Henjak playing NRL) but we want to know how he is addressing his personal issues."
Gallop was confident NRL clubs were doing enough to stamp out similar alcohol-related incidents.
"It's unrealistic to expect that there won't be these types of incidents from time to time - young blokes in any code are going to make mistakes," he said.
"The pleasing thing for us is that our clubs have got in and not only stepped up the education of younger players but also where necessary we have seen players penalised, contracts terminated.
"Clubs are realising that these matters need to be dealt with appropriately.
"I think rugby league is doing a reasonable job on that front."
Henjak is reportedly set to be thrown a lifeline by a rugby side in Europe with three clubs in England and France expressing interest.
Source: AAP