They later shook hands and the match, won by Newcastle, finished without further drama.
“It was an intense game, tempers boiled over and the two men shook hands at the end of it,” said National Indigenous Rugby League Administration’s George Rose.
“The referee controlled the game very well and the tension passed after that. The teams went back to playing footy and everyone was happy at the end of the game. The game ended cleanly and fairly.”
Asked later to clarify the result of the disciplinary hearing, Rose did not respond. Other officials involved in the tournament said it was played in good spirit throughout the three weeks.
The competition was not sanctioned by the NRL.
Loading
Roberts-Davis was caught up in a COVID drama earlier in the year when he breached a public health order by camping on Latrell Mitchell’s property with Josh Addo-Carr weeks before the NRL’s May 28 resumption. He was fined by NSW Police and the NRL.
The inaugural Tribal League competition was played over three weeks across NSW, with matches at Dubbo, the Central Coast and finals day at Campbelltown Stadium, which was televised on NITV.
A host of NRL players featured in the tournament with Eels utility Will Smith crowned the best player across the three weeks. It also heralded the rugby league return of former Dally M Medal winner Ben Barba.
The inaugural $100,000 Tribal League was initiated after the cancellation of this year’s Koori Knockout due to the COVID pandemic, which prevented teams from Queensland, Northern Territory and Victoria entering.
