In an unexpected and regrettable incident, Canberra Raiders players Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies were involved in a late-night altercation at their Las Vegas hotel, leading to their brief eviction just days before the NRL season opener. The team had recently arrived in Las Vegas to prepare for their upcoming match against the New Zealand Warriors, scheduled for March 2 at Allegiant Stadium.
The incident occurred on the first night of the Raiders’ stay. A technical malfunction at the hotel resulted in a system outage, causing significant delays in room assignments and leaving one of the players without accommodation. This unfortunate situation escalated when one player sought to share a room with his teammate, leading to a disagreement that intensified into a physical confrontation within the hotel’s elevator. Hotel security intervened, and the players were temporarily removed from the premises. Initial concerns about a potential weapon were alleviated when it was determined that the object in question was an inflatable baseball bat. The local police were not involved, and after the situation was clarified, both players were permitted to return to their rooms. citeturn0search4
Head coach Ricky Stuart addressed the matter, expressing his disappointment:
“I have spoken to the players who are very embarrassed. The behaviour was unacceptable. The club will deal with this strongly.” citeturn0news12
Despite the incident, both Young and Smithies are expected to participate in the upcoming match against the Warriors. The club has mandated that the players address the media to offer their accounts and public apologies. This situation has cast a shadow over the team’s preparations and has raised concerns about player conduct during international engagements.
This event is particularly notable as it marks the second consecutive year that NRL players have been involved in off-field incidents during the league’s promotional efforts in Las Vegas. The previous year saw a verbal altercation between players from the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos, stemming from allegations of racial abuse during a game. These recurring issues highlight the challenges of managing player behavior in high-profile international settings and underscore the importance of clear guidelines and support systems to prevent such incidents.
The Raiders’ management and coaching staff are now tasked with addressing the immediate disciplinary concerns while ensuring that the team’s focus returns to their on-field performance. The incident serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with representing a professional sports organization on an international stage and the potential repercussions of personal conduct on team dynamics and public perception.
As the Raiders move forward, the emphasis will be on learning from this episode to foster a culture of accountability and professionalism. The upcoming match against the Warriors will not only test the team’s athletic prowess but also their resilience and unity in the face of adversity.
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