Broncos forward Tevita Pangai jnr has been stood down after he broke the NRL's biosecurity rules.
As first reported by 7news.com.au, Pangai will be placed in COVID hold for 14 days, meaning he will sit out Brisbane's clash with the Raiders in Canberra this Saturday and the home fixture against St George Illawarra the following Friday.
Later on Sunday, the Knights said two of their youngest squad members had broken the biosecurity guidelines.
"We have two players now on COVID hold as a result of a potential breach," a club spokesperson said.
"We reported the situation to the NRL as soon as we became aware and will investigate the circumstances tomorrow [Monday]."
The Broncos said Pangai had attended the opening of a barber shop.
NRL.com understands the barber shop in Logan City was being surveiled by police on Saturday as part of an operation on a bikie gang. There is no suggestion Pangai was doing anything illegal but when Queensland health officials were notified of his presence, contrary to NRL biosecurity rules, they then contacted the NRL who informed the Broncos of the breach.
After the 28-10 loss to South Sydney on Friday night the Broncos players were all reminded on multiple occasions of the stricter NRL biosecurity rules that were in place. The fact that Pangai ignored that advice may lead to him receiving a further club sanction to the 14-day self-isolation that he will now undergo.
Brisbane trainer Allan Langer and fellow football staff members Ryan Whitley and Blake Duncan were stood down on Friday for attending a function at a Brisbane pub and coach Anthony Seibold exited the club's bubble on Saturday to attend to a family matter in Sydney.
The club was fined $15,000 for the actions of Langer, Whitley and Duncan.
The Broncos released a statement on Saturday saying their coach was expected to return to Brisbane by Monday but would then spend 14 days self-isolating as per COVID-19 guidelines.
Brisbane assistant coach Peter Gentle will take over the head coaching role during Seibold's absence.
The Broncos are 15th on the Telstra Premiership ladder while Newcastle are sixth but face a crucial clash with Manly, who are three points behind them, next Sunday.
