http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-of-wests-tigers/story-e6frexnr-1226148480269
Robert Lui plays in Aboriginal knockout tournament in Queensland without permission of Wests Tigers
THE future of Robert Lui at the Wests Tigers is in serious doubt after he fled to Queensland to play in an Aboriginal knockout tournament on the weekend without the NRL club's permission.
Last week Lui was charged by police with assaulting partner Taleah Backo after three straight days of post-season celebrations with Tigers teammates.
Club officials agreed for Lui to return to Queensland and be comforted by family and friends ahead of his October 7 court hearing.
But rather than keep a low profile, Lui took part in the inaugural Queensland Murri league carnival on the Gold Coast and inspired the Southern Dingoes to a 44-24 final victory over Purga Wagtails.
The three-day drug and alcohol-free carnival, organised by former Maroons great Tony Currie - and endorsed by the ARL and QRL - involved 20 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teams and featured NRL players
Chris Sandow,
Dane Gagai and
Yileen Gordon, and former star Nathan Blacklock.
The incident disappointed Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys, who was with Lui until 3am last Tuesday at Burwood Police Station, and he is keen for the 21-year-old to give an explanation when he returns.
"We have stood him down, so we were surprised he played in the tournament because the idea of him going to Queensland was to have some private time with family members," Humphreys said.
"We were made aware he was playing on Sunday, but he didn't seek our approval before doing so. We'll have a chat with him about it at some point. It won't be this week.
"I was surprised and disappointed, but maybe he had some encouragement from friends and family members to play.
"Whether we would have approved (his involvement) is a hypothetical, so I'd rather not speculate."
The Tigers have stood Lui down from all club activities and will await the outcome of his court hearing before deciding on his future. .
Currie said Lui had played well for the Southern Dingoes, a team which also featured Lui's brother, but was unaware he would take part beforehand.
Southern Dingoes coach Selwyn Apanui said he was unaware Lui had not sought a clearance from the Tigers.
"He really wasn't pressured or questioned about any of the other issues, he was happy to play footy and enjoy the company of his brother and his mates," Apanui said.
Lets hope this prick keeps f**king around because its starting to sound like unless convicted he will stay. Should be sacked for simply being charged, how good his lawyers are (commissioned by Wests Tigers offcourse) should not determine the severity of his initial actions.
