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What really happened with Tedesco, Wakeman and girlfriend

World Cup teammates James Tedesco and Shannon Wakeman have spoken exclusively about what really went down in the moments before and after their pub brawl.

Rugby League World Cup officials have launched a probe into the brawl that saw Tedesco and Wakeman come to blows after their loss to Ireland on Sunday.

Speaking exclusively to 7News, Tedesco is adamant he didn't proposition Wakeman's girlfriend, which was originally thought to have sparked the brawl.

But the star Roosters recruit admits he was acting inappropriately.

Aimee Bloomfield. Image: Facebook
Aimee Bloomfield. Image: Facebook

"We'd had a few drinks, tempers were a bit high and it escalated from there," Tedesco said.

Former Illawarra Cutters player Wakeman says he was left 'upset' by the incident.

"James and I had already sorted it out," Wakeman said.

"My partner as well, she's not happy about having to deal with this."

There was the allegation that Tedesco had acted inappropriately towards Wakeman's girlfriend Aimee Bloomfield, but Tedesco insists they were just "mucking around."

"We were together at the pub but it was all just a bit of a muck around," Tedesco said.

"Then it sort of escalated.

"The next morning I apologised to Shannon and his girlfriend and they were both okay.

"He apologised for what he did and we knew we were both in the wrong."

Bloomfield. Image: Facebook
Bloomfield. Image: Facebook

World Cup officials have hired chief NRL integrity unit investigator Karyn Murphy to lead the probe into the brawl.

The pair will both face an Italian disciplinary panel, where any potential punishments will likely be handed out ahead of Sunday's clash with the USA.

However any penalty will likely have to satisfy Murphy and the tournament's integrity unit, who have asked for a report from team management.

"The RLWC has been made aware of an incident involving the the Italian team in Cairns on Sunday night," a statement from the tournament organisers read.

"The matter has been referred to the integrity unit. It would be inappropriate to make any further comment until we receive a final report."

Murphy, a former Jillaroos player and Queensland police detective, has worked with the NRL's integrity since June 2015.

The former Australian Police Female Investigator of the Year winner will act independently from the NRL, much in the same way the league's referees boss Tony Archer is leading the tournament's officials.

Given the tournament falls under the scope of the Rugby League International Federation, the NRL itself will then only intervene if it deems the matter serious enough and it involves a player contracted to one of the 16 NRL clubs.

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Meanwhile Federation of Italian Rugby League (FIRL) president Orazio D'Arro said his organisation wouldn't take the issue lightly.

"FIRL understands the importance of ensuring that players are not to engage in conduct that is detrimental or damaging to rugby league or the Rugby League World Cup,"" D'Arro said.

"Both players involved understand their obligations to the Rugby League World Cup and the acceptable behaviour in public."

with AAP