The NRL Integrity Unit is investigating an alleged incident in the press box between a journalist for Guardian Australia and New Zealand Warriors assistant coach Richard Agar during the season opener against Canberra in Las Vegas.
Rugby league reporter John Davidson, an Australian based in the UK who was in the US to cover the match as a freelancer, was allegedly pushed in the throat by Agar and verbally abused.
The incident was alleged to have occurred during half-time at Allegiant Stadium when Canberra led the Warriors 16-4. The Raiders ran out 30-8 winners over the Kiwi club.
New Zealand Warriors chief executive Cameron George said on Monday morning he was made aware “an alleged incident at half-time involving assistant coach Richard Agar and an English journalist John Davidson from the Guardian” after the match.
“This morning I had the opportunity to speak with the NRL integrity unit. They are working through their process which will include us,” George said.
“I hope their process will be efficient and prompt so we can provide clarity on the matter.”
Agar was contacted through the Warriors but the club said there “won’t be any further comment at this stage”.
Agar is an English coach and former player who last held a head coaching role at Leeds Rhinos until he stepped down in 2022. He joined the Warriors the following year.
Davidson is a sports journalist who has covered multiple football codes and has written for a range of rugby league titles as well as the Guardian, the i Paper and SBS.
