Teammates of Takapuna-born Jaxson Paulo are urging him to take police action over social media death threats, after his role in South Sydney's 26-22 loss to Penrith Panthers.
Paulo, 22, has copped much of the blame for the Rabbitohs' late defeat, with an error-ridden display that cost at least one try and probably more.
After dropping the ball as he dove into the corner during the first half, the winger could not gather a clear intercept opportunity in the second, before spilling another pass on attack, with the line looming.
Paulo also dropped the kick that put the Panthers in field position for second-rower Liam Martin to score the winning try.
Afterwards, he bore the brunt of abuse from fans, including punters who had lost money on the 2021 Grand Final rematch.
Last year, star fullback Latrell Mitchell went after social media attackers and two men were subsequently charged with "use of carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence". Mitchell and half Cody Walker want Paulo to follow suit.
"If it comes to death threats and whatnot, and if your family is being involved, it is a police matter," said Mitchell. "If Jaxson is going that way and the club is going to back him, I'm all for it.
"I did it. I got two fellows, and I can guarantee a lot of other fellows are going to be thinking twice about what they are going to say and just leave it in the back pocket.
"I've seen it and it is not tolerated. Racism or death threats, it is just a coward's act to sit behind a keyboard and write that stuff."
The club has supported Paulo, who played for Samoa against Cook Islands in June, with chief executive Blake Solly describing the attacks as "outrageous" and "unacceptable".
"It has gotten to a point where there is a threat involved to physically harm someone," said Walker said. "It is just absolutely disgusting.
"It has blown me away that anyone thinks they can write that sort of stuff to a person and not think it is going to have any impact on the way that person lives."
With two games remaining, seventh-placed Souths are still battling for a top-eight playoff spot and face North Queensland Cowboys, currently second on the table, on Saturday.
Join us at 8pm Friday for live updates of the NZ Warriors v Penrith NRL clash