BUSTED: Broncos teammates caught on camera in ugly incident
Amateur footage has captured an ugly altercation between two Brisbane Broncos stars, with the club confirming it has launched an investigation into the incident.
Broncos officials say they're looking into an alleged drunken fight between Payne Haas and Albert Kelly after an expletive-laden video was released on social media.
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Already reeling from two straight defeats, the Broncos were plunged into further drama on Sunday night when footage showed the pair engaged in a violent tussle.
A voice that appears to be Kelly's can be heard saying on the recording: “Why would I step on your shoes?”
The footage then shows Haas' left fist make contact with Kelly after he could be heard calling his teammate a “f***ing c***.”
Haas can also be seen holding his hand to Kelly's throat and appearing to deliver a left-handed punch to the player's head.
The big-money Broncos prop also appears to shove the playmaker's face with his right hand, while slurred voices can be heard.
"The matter has been referred to the NRL Integrity Unit and the club will investigate the matter further," a Broncos spokesman said.
The Daily Telegraph's Phil Rothfield claims the incident occurred outside the team hotel last month, following Brisbane's round two win over the Bulldogs.
“It was in was in the foyer of the hotel they were staying at,” Rothfield said on Big Sports Breakfast.
“It was after their Round 2 (game against) the Bulldogs, they were in Sydney and had been out for a couple of beers after the game there was a dispute between the pair.
“The problem for the Broncos is it has gone public and the other problem is Payne Haas should be behaving better than he was in that video. To be roughing up, throwing a punch at a little halfback.
“In 2019 he was suspended for four matches and fined $20,000 for failing to co-operate with an integrity unit investigation.
“Last year he behaved disgracefully and was charged with offensive language and intimidating police at Tweed Head. He was fined $50,000 and suspended for three matches by the NRL.
“I’m wondering if there’s a wider problem here and if Payne Haas even wants to be at the Broncos or whether he wants to play for another club (because) he doesn’t appear to be happy there.”
Payne Haas seeking lucrative contract upgrade
The timing of the footage is far from ideal for Haas, who was in the headlines last week after it emerged that the prop's management team were seeking a massive upgrade to his current contract.
Haas - who is contracted until the end of the 2024 season - is reportedly seeking a deal worth around $1 million per season, to reflect his standing as arguably the game's most dominant middle forward.
It is not the first time Haas has landed himself in trouble at the club.
The 22-year-old was last year handed a good behaviour bond over an altercation with police in Tweed Heads, where he was accused of intimidating a female officer.
He was fined $50,000 by the NRL and suspended for three matches.
It came after the NSW State of Origin prop was also suspended for four games at the start of 2019 for failing to cooperate with an NRL integrity unit investigation.
The incident is also not the first clash between current Broncos players after Jordan Riki and Tom Flegler were engaged in bust-up at the end of last season.
After winning their first two games of the season, Brisbane has slid out of the top eight following last week's 20-6 loss to the Warriors.
with AAP
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