Raiders duo Corey Harawira-Naera and Corey Horsburgh will both be summonsed appear in ACT Magistrates Court after being charged with separate drink-driving offenses over the holiday period.
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Former Canterbury Bulldog Harawira-Naera was charged on Christmas Eve while Horsburgh reportedly blew 0.053 on January 3.
The NRL's Integrity Unit was informed of both incidents and has begun investigations into the two matters, while Harawira-Naera and Horsburgh are free to continue training with the club.
A reading of 0.053 places Horsburgh into the low-range category, which can carry a $700 fine and two-month licence suspension. Meanwhile, Harawira-Naera's more serious offense, which has been reported as high-range drink driving, could cost him his licence for at least six months.
"The Canberra Raiders can confirm that both Corey Harawira-Naera and Corey Horsburgh were involved in separate incidents during the Christmas holiday period," a Raiders statement said.
"Both incidents were reported directly to the NRL Integrity unit at the time and the club continues to keep them informed of any developments."
Raiders officials will deliver their own punishment to Harawira-Naera and Horsburgh following court proceedings, which will likely mean both players will miss at least round one.
The NRL Integrity Unit also has the power to dish out further punishment if they deem the Raiders' response isn't strong enough, like they did in 2018 with Jack Wighton. Canberra originally suspended Wighton for six weeks following a late-night Civic brawl in February of 2018, but the NRL Integrity Unit extended that to 10 matches.
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"The Canberra Raiders advised the Integrity Unit of the alleged offenses and the Integrity Unit is awaiting further information from the police," an NRL spokesperson said.
Last year's drink-driving misdemeanor is a major blow to Harawira-Naera who is in the process of rebuilding his NRL career after being delisted by Canterbury in 2020 for his involvement in an incident involving Port Macquarie schoolgirls.
Harawira-Naera was thrown a lifeline by Canberra in July last year, signing a deal through to 2022.
It's also a major setback for Horsburgh who missed most of last year with a serious foot injury suffered in round seven.
The pair have both been gunning for the starting back row spot vacated by Englishman John Bateman after he departed for Wigan at the end of last year.
Meanwhile, four Raiders have been selected to play in the NRL's All Stars match on February 20. Dally M Medalist Jack Wighton will represent the Indigenous All Stars while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Joseph Tapine and Bailey Simonsson have been named in the Maori side.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
