The Warrington centre Anthony Gelling has been suspended by the Super League team after being arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent.
The 29-year-old joined the Wolves at the beginning of this season on a two-year deal, and had played in both of the club’s opening two games of the Super League season. But his future with the club is now in jeopardy after Warrington confirmed on Wednesday that the Cook Islands international had been suspended with immediate effect.
“Warrington Wolves can confirm that centre Anthony Gelling will not be available for selection pending a club investigation into conduct away from the club,” the club said in a brief statement, before adding that Gelling was “fully supportive” of the club’s internal investigation.
Shortly afterwards Cheshire police said in a statement: “At 3pm on Saturday 8 February, police received a report of an assault at an address on Cronton Lane Mews in Widnes. A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent. He has been questioned by detectives and released on conditional bail. Enquiries into the assault remain ongoing.”
Gelling, who had previously won the Super League title with Wigan Warriors in 2016, joined Warrington from local rivals Widnes at the start of this season. He had previously spoken about making the most of his second chance in the top flight, having played in the Championship with the Vikings last season.
But he will be missing this weekend when Steve Price’s side travel to Wakefield Trinity for their next Super League fixture and will not be able to play for the Wolves until their investigation into the matter concludes, with the prospect of his two-year deal being terminated.
Meanwhile, Israel Folau, who has been in training with the Dragons for more than a week, is in contention to make his debut for the club this Saturday against Castleford Tigers. Catalans will name their 21-man squad for the game at midday on Thursday, offering the clearest hint yet as to whether Folau will resume his rugby career for the first time since being sacked by Rugby Australia last May following a series of homophobic social media posts.
