The Courier Mail - The Toa Samoa has been rocked by an unwelcomed distraction ahead of their Four Nations tournament this weekend.
Several NRL players – including key Toa Samoa players - have been questioned following a wild night in a Brisbane VIP nightclub booth.
North Queensland Cowboys centre Tautau Moga was arrested while Canterbury Bulldogs veteran Reni Maitua is understood to have been at the nightclub when the incident occurred.
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Members of the Samoan rugby league team competing in the Four Nations tournament were brought in for questioning after an incident with police at Hot Gossip nightclub in Fortitude Valley.
The unsavoury drama casts a shadow over the Four Nations tournament that kicks off this Saturday with a blockbuster double-header at Suncorp Stadium.
There were eight men charged early Sunday morning for offences including public nuisance, obstructing police and assault.
The eight men, including Samoan NRL stars, will face court on November 4.
It is understood the Samoan players fought with another group of men and police were called to the scene but players refused to co-operate with them.
Toa Samoa coach, Matt Parish said he knew nothing on Sunday when asked about the incident at Hot Gossip.
“I’m not aware of that. We are on the bus on the way to training. I don’t know anything about that,” he told The Courier-Mail.
Parish later texted to confirm his players were being investigated.
“We are co-operating with authorities. As there is a police investigation it would be inappropriate for me to comment further,” he said.
The NRL also confirmed they were investigating the police matter.
The Cowboys confirmed they were aware of Moga’s involvement but were unable to comment.
There are more than 100 NRL and Super League players in Queensland this week for the Four Nations double-header involving Samoa, England, New Zealand and Australia.
Samoa play England this Saturday night in their Four Nations opener at Suncorp Stadium.
They could be without several stars for the clash as the NRL will want to hand out any suspensions before the game.
The Samoan team were special guests at Hot Gossip for a VIP night during which fans were invited to meet them.
The incident happened about 3:30a.m.
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