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NRL's extraordinary move against player agents

Australian Associated Press

The NRL has moved on two of the game's most prominent player agents, cancelling the accreditation of Gavin Orr and issuing a show-cause to Isaac Moses.

It's the first time the NRL has wielded new powers to hold player agents to a standard of conduct since the ARLC approved new laws at the end of 2019.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the NRL said Orr's accreditation had been cancelled for breaches including "knowingly aiding a breach of the salary cap rules".

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However, he will fight the decision in front of the NRL Appeals Committee in February and remains free to represent players until he is heard.

Orr owns Pacific Sports Management with his brother Chris, and together they represent some of the biggest names in rugby league in Jason Taumalolo, Daly Cherry-Evans, Payne Haas and Josh Addo-Carr.

Moses, considered one of the most powerful agents in the game representing the likes of Cameron Smith, Anthony Seibold and David Klemmer, faces having his registration cancelled.

In a show-cause notice, the NRL has alleged Moses counselled or assisted a person to not co-operate fully with the NRL Integrity Unit.

Prominent NRL player manager Gavin Orr, who represents the likes of Valentine Holmes and Daly Cherry-Evans, has had his accreditation cancelled by the league. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Prominent NRL player manager Gavin Orr, who represents the likes of Valentine Holmes and Daly Cherry-Evans, has had his accreditation cancelled by the league. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)

He denies the allegations and has the opportunity to respond, with a decision to be made in the new year.

The NRL also fined Antoun Zibara for knowingly submitting several player contracts which had not been witnessed, and will serve a three-month probation.

A fourth agent, Mario Tartak, was issued with a breach notice for failing to disclose bankruptcy proceedings, with the matter to be determined in 2020.

Chief operating officer Nick Weeks said the NRL now has the power to enforce the highest standard of conduct from player agents.

"Our integrity unit has conducted extensive investigations over a number of months which has resulted in disciplinary proceedings against four player agents,'' he said.

"The reform of the rules relating to player agents at the end of last year has allowed the NRL to hold player agents accountable in the same way as players and club officials."