NRL player Asu Kepaoa banned for homophobic slur; Latrell Mitchell injured; Perth Bears recruitment
Consensus Summary
Newcastle Knights forward Asu Kepaoa was banned for six weeks after pleading guilty to using a homophobic slur during a NSW Cup match on June 17, 2026. The incident occurred during a reserve-grade game against St George Illawarra, where Kepaoa was sent off before half-time and referred directly to the judiciary. The ban follows a similar case in 2022 when Marcelo Montoya received a four-game suspension for a homophobic slur. The Newcastle Knights issued a statement condemning the language and committing to educate Kepaoa on its impact, emphasizing their inclusive values. Meanwhile, Latrell Mitchell suffered a calf injury during training on June 22, 2026, and is expected to miss South Sydney's match against Parramatta on June 24, 2026, dealing a setback to his hopes of playing in NSW Origin Game III. The story also highlights the challenges faced by the incoming Perth Bears, who are building their inaugural NRL roster under new general manager Gareth Holmes, amid recruitment hurdles and recent fines for anti-tampering breaches.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Asu Kepaoa was banned for six weeks (six matches) for using a homophobic slur in a NSW Cup match against St George Illawarra on June 17, 2026.
- Kepaoa pleaded guilty to the offence at a NSWRL judiciary hearing on June 22, 2026, and issued a personal apology.
- Kepaoa was sent off before half-time in the Knights' reserve-grade defeat of St George Illawarra on June 17, 2026.
- Kepaoa has played 43 NRL games, all for the Wests Tigers between 2020 and 2024.
- Marcelo Montoya received a four-game ban in 2022 for using a homophobic slur against North Queensland winger Kyle Feldt while playing for the Warriors.
- The Newcastle Knights released a statement condemning the language and pledging to educate Kepaoa on its impact.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Latrell Mitchell is expected to miss South Sydney's match against Parramatta on June 24, 2026, after hurting his calf at training.
- Mitchell left training with a trainer after warm-ups on June 22, 2026, and later went for scans.
- Mitchell had previously ruled himself out of NSW Origin Game I due to a back injury and was initially expected to recover within a fortnight.
- North Sydney Bears boss Gareth Holmes was appointed general manager of football for the incoming Perth Bears on June 22, 2026, after David Sharpe left the role in April.
- Perth Bears were fined $40,000 for breaches of the league's anti-tampering rules related to media comments by Mal Meninga about signing Penrith star Nathan Cleary and Canterbury duo Matt Burton and Jacob Preston.
- Perth Bears' only signing with Origin experience is Siosifa Talakai, who played two games for NSW in 2022.
- Perth Bears' only premiership players so far are Penrith bench forwards Liam Henry and Scott Sorensen.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 mentions Gareth Holmes was appointed on June 22, 2026, but no other source confirms this date or appointment.
Source Articles
Knight facing judiciary over homophobic slur, Mitchell limps at training
Asu Kepaoa will face the NSW Rugby League judiciary after being sent off in a NSW Cup game for allegedly using a homophobic slur.
Knights player Kepaoa banned for six weeks for homophobic slur
Newcastle Knights player Asu Kepaoa is handed a six-week ban for using a homophobic slur during a NSW Cup match.
Newcastle Knights player Asu Kepaoa given six-week ban for using homophobic slur
Forward pleaded guilty to judiciary for comment in reserve-grade game Former Tigers and Panthers player yet to make NRL debut for third club Newcastle forward Asu Kepaoa has been hit with a six-match ban for using a homophonic slur in a round-of-16 NSW Cup match. The 26-year-old fronted the NSWRL judiciary on Wednesday when he pleaded guilty to making the slur in the Knights’ reserve-grade defeat of St George Illawarra last week. Continue reading...