'Unforgivable': Josh Dugan caught in alleged lockdown breach

The NRL is investigating claims Josh Dugan breached the public health order after the Cronulla centre was allegedly pulled over in Lithgow on Friday night.

A police report said a 31-year-old man and his passenger were stopped twice in NSW's central tablelands after being told to return to Sydney.

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Integrity unit officials spent Saturday morning speaking to both NSW Police and the Sharks after being informed of the situation.

Dugan is not part of Cronulla's Queensland hub, but is still under level-four restrictions from the NRL which limit him to only leaving home for training and essential needs.

NSW Police claim health orders were breached with the individual leaving Sydney, before being allegedly misled about the reasons for his travel.

"Officers from Chifley Police District were conducting patrols in Lithgow when they stopped a Jeep Cherokee at about 11.30pm yesterday (Friday)," NSW Police said.

"Police spoke to the driver, a 31-year-old man, and his passenger, a man aged 30.

"The men allegedly weren't wearing masks and checks revealed they were from Gymea and Alexandria.

"The driver allegedly told police they were moving to the area and were going to feed animals, however later admitted they were heading to a friend's house for the weekend.

"They were directed to return home. About 40 minutes later, officers detected the same vehicle travelling away from Sydney towards Yetholme."

Police said the men were again directed to return home and warned charges were expected to be laid.

Dugan's NRL future remains uncertain with the former NSW State of Origin star off contract at Cronulla and not expected to be re-signed.

The 31-year-old has not played since round 11 and there is every chance the Sharks' win over St George Illawarra that night could have been his last NRL game.

Dugan was already fined $25,000 by the NRL in June for another breach of the game's biosecurity laws when he attended a restaurant.

At the time that was not against public health orders.

The NRL has confirmed they are aware of the most recent incident.

"The integrity unit is aware of the matter and is liaising with NSW Police and the club," an NRL spokesman said.

Cronula Sharks urged to take space after Andrew Fifita incident

Concern for Andrew Fifita was palpable in the Cronulla camp this week but rather than brush it off, coach Josh Hannay gave the players space to process fears for their teammate.

On Monday the Sharks were rocked when Fifita was placed in an induced coma in a Brisbane hospital with his airways closing following a hit to the throat during their NRL loss to Newcastle.

The life-threatening situation unfolded rapidly after Sunday night's game and ended with the 2016 premiership hero having surgery for a fractured larynx on Tuesday afternoon.

The shock waves rippled through Sharks camp this week but with a must-win game against Wests Tigers on Saturday the last thing Hannay wanted to do was rush players to move on.

"The thing you have to do is pay any critical situation the respect it deserves and not just move on and get on with life, because that's fake," said Hannay on Friday.

"We all have to process tough times and deal with those in our own ways.

"It was about making sure we were open and honest with each other about how we were feeling about things and not making anyone feel like we have to just get on with life, and get on with the job, and get on with winning two points.

"It's about handling the situation delicately and being respectful of everyone's feelings.

"I'd like to think that I've had a little bit of practice in these types of situations unfortunately."

Hannay's experience in delicate situations comes from taking over as interim coach at both North Queensland after Paul Green's mid-season departure and at the Sharks after John Morris's axing.

Fifita is now in a stable condition in hospital with his wife Nikki by his side while players and their partners take care of the couple's children in Sharks camp.

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