The man who has accused Warriors recruit Kieran Foran of causing "great hurt and pain" to his dying wife has been labelled an "impeccable character" by NRL women's advisor Catharine Lumby.
Former Newscorp CEO John Hartigan has alleged Foran sent his cancer-ridden wife, journalist Rebecca Wilson, sickening text messages, and made an abusive phone call that left her feeling distraught and threatened.
Lumby told Sunday Sport on RadioLIVE that Hartigan wouldn't be getting involved unless he had proof.
"John Hartigan is a man of impeccable character and anything he says can be 100 percent trusted," Lumby said.
"He has made it clear publicly that the content of those texts and phone call warranted calling the police."
Wilson passed away a week after the alleged texts and calls were made.
Lumby believes the content of the messages constituted assault, and when taking into account other well-documented mental issues, the former premiership-winning stand-off should face a longer stint on the sidelines.
"A two-match suspension does not look like anyone's taking this particularly seriously. Take him off the field to really demonstrate that he is getting the mental health support he requires."
Foran's 2017 contract with the New Zealand Warriors was registered on Tuesday by the NRL, and NRL CEO Todd Greenburg said the former Kiwis captain would be available to play form week three of the competition.
Foran has been linked to Sydney gambling personality Eddie Hayson by journalists, including Wilson, and had a widely publicised break-up with the mother of his children, Rebecca Pope.
Lumby told Andrew Gourdie and Jim Kayes that she acknowledges that Foran's state of mind in October, when the alleged altercations took place, would have been all over the place, but feels the light stand-down period was an opportunity missed by the NRL to not only provide Foran with more off-the-field support, but also make an example out of him.
"I have great compassion for that yes, and I don't lack any compassion for him [Foran].
"Whatever the cause, there needs to be much greater consistency with the way these issues are dealt with because at the moment there seems to be inconsistency when it comes to how players are treated, and I think that's related to whether or not they are a star.
"It was assault.
"But the thing is, the response to that type of behaviour [by the NRL], whatever the cause needs to show leadership.
"I'd like a stronger stance from the NRL about what the effect that kind of behaviour constitutes."
Newshub
