UPDATE: Promising Warriors forward Isaiah Papali'i has been made unavailable for New Zealand's first round clash with the Bulldogs after he was involved in an off-field misdemeanor.
The 20-year-old prop was stood down by the club on Tuesday morning, as Warriors CEO Cameron George revealed that he had been hit with a low-range drink-driving offence during the offseason.
“We expect better from our players and anyone who falls short of our standards will be appropriately dealt with irrespective of the time of year or their standing within the club,” he said in a club statement.
“Isaiah is extremely remorseful for his actions. He feels like he’s let his team-mates, the club, our fans and his family down."
“He is now determined to win back their respect and will also be fighting hard to earn back his spot in the team.”
Papali’i will be available for selection for the Warriors’ second round clash with the Wests Tigers on Sunday, March 24.
EARLIER: Coach Stephen Kearney confirmed the news on Tuesday morning, emphasising that it was a club issue that would be dealt with internally.
"He's not [up for selection], no. It's a club issue, but he will be available for selection next week for sure," Kearney said.
"He's not available for selection from a club point of view, but he will be ready for round two.
"It's a club issue, that's the issue."
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However, Channel Nine reporter Danny Weilder understands that the prop has been made unavailable due to a drink driving incident.
"Warriors are not saying why Isaiah Papali’i is not available for selection," he wrote on Twitter.
"It’s my understanding he has been stood down due to drink driving."
Warriors are not saying why Isaiah Papali’i is not available for selection ... it’s my understanding he has been stood down due to drink driving @9NewsSyd
— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) March 11, 2019
The Warriors made an internal call to automatically suspend players or staff who face serious allegations in February. The club's board unanimously backed the plan, believing it's in the best interests of the NRL.
"We've got to protect the game firstly, and our brand, our sponsors and whether it's a staff member or player, that's the approach we'll be taking irrespective of any policy change in the game," New Zealand CEO Cameron George told NRL.com.
Although the policy was put in place for incidents which could result in jail time, it's understood that Papali'i's situation is not deemed to be a 'serious' incident as it only resulted in a one match ban.
The loss of Papali'i could see off-season recruit Lachlan Burr making his club debut, or Dally M Interchange Player of the Year Jazz Tevaga could earn a promotion to the starting thirteen.
The Warriors will kick off their 2019 campaign against the Bulldogs on Saturday, March 16 at Mt Smart Stadium.
