NRL: Kangaroos star Greg Inglis suspended for tests in New Zealand

  • 02/10/2018

Greg Inglis has been suspended for Australia's two-test tour of New Zealand after being charged with drink driving just hours after he was appointed captain.

On Tuesday, Inglis had said he hoped to retain his spot in the Kangaroos team to take on the Kiwis and Tonga but he was instead suspended by NRL CEO Todd Greenberg and Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.

"Greg is not just a great player, he is one of our best role models, but he made a poor decision on this occasion," said Greenberg, announcing the suspension.

"He deserves full credit for being up front today by apologising and taking full ownership of his mistake.

"It is a mark of the man that he has accepted responsibility for his actions and I have no doubt he will overcome this setback and retain his status as a true leader in our game."

Inglis will not challenge the ban, and it remains possible he could return as the Kangaroos captain next year when Meninga names his next squad.

It's expected premiership-winning Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner will take over as skipper for this month's Tests against New Zealand and Tonga.

Either Will Chambers or Queensland teammate Dane Gagai will likely be called into the 19-man squad as a centre replacement for Inglis.

The ban came after Inglis stated his case to stay on as Kangaroos leader.

"Me personally, I feel like do (deserve to)," he said.

"It's entirely up to them. It's out of my control now. I know I still have the full support of the playing group and everyone else.

"Through my playing career I've been playing for 13 years and I've never had a criminal charge laid against me."

Inglis had also spoken with Queensland Origin coach Kevin Walters on Tuesday, but was at least told by the Rabbitohs his job as South Sydney skipper was safe.

The 31-year-old was driving home from the Koori Knockout tournament in Dubbo when he was stopped around 2pm after, he said, he'd returned to his hotel room at about 1am that morning.

"I thought I would be right to drive and I didn't leave Gulgong until about 12 the next day. Got pulled over and that was it from there," he said.

"I'm sincerely apologetic.

"I know where I stand in the game as a role model to the community and what I have been charged with is unacceptable on my behalf."