Dumped Cowboy Wayne Ulugia in police probe
Dan Koch
The Australian
January 31, 2014 11:33AM
FORMER North Queensland winger Wayne Ulugia is being investigated by Townsville police over an alleged theft of a woman's handbag during a night out on the town last week.
The Australian has been told no charges have yet been aid against the 21-year-old. But the matter is still with police, who have confirmed inquiries are ongoing.
But the latest incident involving the talented back was a factor in the Cowboys tearing up his two-year contract yesterday with chairman Peter Jourdain saying repeated breaches of the club's code of conduct could no longer be tolerated.
An internal Cowboys investigation was held and after a meeting with the player and his management, he was sacked.
Eighteen months ago Ulugia was fined for an assault on a nightclub patron, who allegedly spat on him. The club said other alcohol-related incidents were involved in its decision to cut him.
He was drinking with friends last week at a local watering hole in Townsville, when the alleged theft happened.
Ulugia is a former Australian Schoolboys and Junior Kiwis player, who came into the Cowboys system as a 15-year-old with great promise.
He was contracted with the NRL squad for the past three years and trained daily alongside the likes of Australian players Johnathan Thurston, Brent Tate, Matt Scott and James Tamou.
He made his NRL debut last season with six tries from four games, including a runaway bust in the Cowboys-Cronulla qualifying final.
Ulugia has remained close with former Cowboys assistant coach Kristian Woolf, who is now with the Brisbane Broncos.
The NRL Integrity Unit has been sent a report. Any attempts by another club to sign Ulugia would have to be approved by the NRL.
Additional reporting: Margie McDonald
