Test and NSW rugby league star Greg Bird has been dumped from the Gold Coast captaincy and fined after embarrassing the NRL club with his public urination.
Bird was issued with a criminal infringement notice on Monday after being spotted relieving himself beside a police car in Byron Bay late on Sunday night, less than 24 hours after his wedding in the northern NSW town.
Titans chief executive Graham Annesley announced on Friday the NRL club’s disciplinary committee had decided to axe Bird from his role as co-captain and fine him $15,000.
Bird was also put on notice that any further transgressions could lead to him being sacked.
The Titans are still without a major sponsor for 2015 and the Bird incident was seen as unacceptable, damaging the club’s standing in the community.
“This is the last thing we want to be dealing with,” Annesley said.
“We’re trying to point this club in the right direction, take it forward … this has set us back there’s no question about that.”
Annesley said it would be up to coach Neil Henry whether Nate Myles now became the club’s sole captain or if a different leadership structure was adopted.
The news capped a horror week for Bird, who injured a medial ligament during training on Thursday and will undergo scans over the coming days to determine the extent of the injury.
Young flyer James Roberts was also fined $3000 by the club for an unrelated incident.
The dynamic outside back, who has already been sacked by South Sydney and Penrith in his brief career, was arrested during a boozy night out in October.
Charges of public nuisance and obstructing police were dropped in a Gold Coast court on Wednesday but the Titans still punished Roberts for his behaviour.
As well as the fine, Roberts must undergo any rehabilitation the club decides and is also on notice that further bad behaviour could see his contract ripped up.
Both incidents involved alcohol, but Annesley said the club wouldn’t be imposing a booze ban on its players.
“We’re dealing with adults, you can’t be with these players 24/7 babysitting them every step of the way,” he said.
“People have to take personal responsibility for their own actions.”
