Security camera footage of Russell Packer's drunken attack on an ex-pat New Zealander helped convince the NRL not to register his playing contract with the Newcastle Knights, while the Kiwis prop also received a less-than-flattering character assessment from his former club.
Details of the NRL's investigation into Packer's assault of a 22-year-old Aucklander in the Sydney CBD in November emerged yesterday, as the father of two remained in custody pending an appeal against a two-year jail term imposed on Monday.
The NRL refused to register Packer's four-year contract with the Knights - a deal thought to be worth A$1 million (NZ$1.9m) - last month, before the 24-year-old pleaded guilty to assaulting Enoka Lester Time.
NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle - a former CEO of the New Zealand Rugby League - broke the organisation's silence while holidaying in New Zealand, saying discussions with police and feedback from the Warriors formed the basis of the decision.
"When the incident occurred, we got hold of the police, we talked to them, we got all the facts, the police report and we obviously contacted his previous club, the Warriors, and asked them for a report," said Doyle, who also heads the NRL's Integrity Unit.
"If we have an incident with a player, we ask for his previous history as anyone would do. We got that from the Warriors and we felt that he wasn't a fit and proper person to be registered."
Packer played 110 games for the Warriors over six seasons and never faced criminal charges while at Mt Smart, although his final year was tarnished when he was caught urinating on Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium before a game against the Broncos last June - an indiscretion that drew a $A15,000 fine.
