RUGBY LEAGUE
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NSW fullback Josh Dugan is expected to keep his State of Origin place and his multimillion dollar Dragons deal is not in jeopardy, despite his role in a boozy night out with Blues teammate Blake Ferguson.
Ferguson, 23, was on Monday night formally charged with indecent assault of a 23-year-old woman.
He has been granted conditional bail to appear in Waverley Local Court on July 16.
He was also dumped from the Blues side for Origin II and had his NRL registration suspended.
The alleged incident took place at Cronulla nightspot 2230 Restaurant and Bar on Sunday night.
A source who has seen the CCTV footage spoke to Fairfax Media and said while the vision is not ‘‘absolutely clear’’, it does confirm an incident took place involving a woman and Ferguson.
Dugan was out with Ferguson at the time but is not believed to have broken any laws.
NRL boss Dave Smith said on Monday night: ‘‘The fans do not want to see the game tarnished and neither do the players. It’s time for people to understand that the game isn’t going to accept this sort of behaviour.’’
The alleged incident comes three months after Dugan was sacked and Ferguson dropped by Canberra for an infamous rooftop drinking session.
They were reunited on Sunday after Dugan was selected by NSW coach Laurie Daley to replace Jarryd Hayne for Origin II in Brisbane on Wednesday week.
Thrown a lifeline by St George Illawarra, Dugan’s stunning return has result in St George Illawarra offering him a lucrative new deal worth almost $3 million over four years.
St George Illawarra released a brief statement late on Monday afternoon.
‘‘We are aware of an incident at a venue in Cronulla where Josh Dugan was present last night (Sunday) that has been reported to police,’’ the statement said.
‘‘The matter is being investigated by the police and NRL integrity unit and we will review any relevant information and details at the appropriate time.’’
Dugan revealed to Fairfax Media last week he had been inspired by close mate Ferguson’s rise to the Origin arena.
Ferguson - who played in the Origin series opening victory in Sydney - spent more than two hours at Miranda Police Station on Monday night where he was interviewed by police, after statements were taken from the woman and another man, believed to be her boyfriend.
He was formally charged about 8pm.
With Ferguson stood down by NSW, South Sydney winger Nathan Merritt, Manly’s Jorge Taufua and Newcastle’s Akuila Uate are set to battle it out to be named his replacement.
Dugan is expected to remain in camp with NSW.
‘‘(Dugan) doesn’t have anything at all to worry about,’’ the source said.
‘‘He was (at the bar) and if I’d have known they were there, I would have probably gone and dragged them out of there myself, but Josh hasn’t done anything wrong at all.
‘‘(NSW) will stand by (Ferguson), until such time as there is no choice but to stand him down.’’
The Dragons have been briefed about Dugan through recruitment manager Craig Young’s role with the NSW squad in camp.
A source said Dugan had been reprimanded for being out while nursing an ankle injury aggravated in the Dragons’ loss to the Cowboys at WIN Stadium.
Dugan has also been cleared of a high shot on North Queensland playmaker Johnathan Thurston by the NRL match review panel.
Dragons medical staff held serious concerns about Dugan’s ability to recover from the ankle problem in time to take his place with the Blues, however the player convinced Daley he would be fit.