possm
Coach
- Messages
- 15,849
Russell Packer will move a step closer to a return to rugby league when he meets NRL officials on Tuesday for the first time since his release from jail in January.
Packer and his management have requested the meeting to discuss the requirements needing to be met for the former New Zealand Warriors prop to be given the green light to play for St George Illawarra. He has been training with St George Illawarra's NSW Cup team in readiness for his NRL return. The Dragons are hopeful it will be at some stage this season, but the NRL is waiting to sign off on his registration.
The NRL's major concern with Packer is alcohol-related education and rehabilitation to prove he has overcome the issues that led to him being sentenced to two years in jail for an assault in Sydney in 2013. The NRL is keen for Packer to go through similar educational and social requirements that Blake Ferguson met before he was allowed to resume with the Sydney Roosters after years of off-field misdemeanours while at the Canberra Raiders.
Packer has had problems with alcohol since his teenage years, and despite not touching a drop in prison, still has to prove to the NRL he won't repeat his mistakes. As part of his parole conditions, Packer, who never played a game for Newcastle after signing with the club for 2013, has to undertake rehabilitation courses of his own. The 25-year-old has been training with the Illawarra Cutters since last month.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...george-illawarra-dragons-20150308-13yezp.html
I hope the meeting goes well and Packer's contract can be registered without delay.
Packer and his management have requested the meeting to discuss the requirements needing to be met for the former New Zealand Warriors prop to be given the green light to play for St George Illawarra. He has been training with St George Illawarra's NSW Cup team in readiness for his NRL return. The Dragons are hopeful it will be at some stage this season, but the NRL is waiting to sign off on his registration.
The NRL's major concern with Packer is alcohol-related education and rehabilitation to prove he has overcome the issues that led to him being sentenced to two years in jail for an assault in Sydney in 2013. The NRL is keen for Packer to go through similar educational and social requirements that Blake Ferguson met before he was allowed to resume with the Sydney Roosters after years of off-field misdemeanours while at the Canberra Raiders.
Packer has had problems with alcohol since his teenage years, and despite not touching a drop in prison, still has to prove to the NRL he won't repeat his mistakes. As part of his parole conditions, Packer, who never played a game for Newcastle after signing with the club for 2013, has to undertake rehabilitation courses of his own. The 25-year-old has been training with the Illawarra Cutters since last month.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...george-illawarra-dragons-20150308-13yezp.html
I hope the meeting goes well and Packer's contract can be registered without delay.