[h=1]Canterbury Bulldogs veteran Reni Maitua likely to have played last NRL game[/h]DateNovember 26, 2014 - 10:00PM
[h=3]Adrian Proszenko[/h][h=4]Chief Rugby League Reporter[/h]View more articles from Adrian Proszenko
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Reni Maitua has likely played his last game in the NRL, with the Bulldogs tipped to part company with the former representative star.
Maitua is contracted to Canterbury for 2015 but his future has again been clouded by his indiscretion, a brawl outside Brisbane nightspot Hot Gossip. The 32-year-old and Samoan teammates Tautau Moga and Sauaso Sue were fined $10,000 each for their role in the incident and were made to stand down for part of the Four Nations tournament. Maitua is scheduled to appear in court after being charged over the incident, which occurred after the Pacific nation's team function in Fortitude Valley. The NRL's integrity unit is monitoring the situation while Bulldogs officials are also in discussions about Maitua's future.
The former NSW and Australian star is holidaying in Bali with a host of other NRL stars and isn't due back to preseason training until January.
It's understood Maitua and the Bulldogs are discussing the feasibility of the veteran utility playing on and it's possible he will announce his retirement before next year's kick off. Canterbury officials inserted a number of behavioural clauses in Maitua's contract and he came perilously close to being sacked after assaulting a taxi driver last year. If he is convicted in court, it will certainly be the end of his career, although it's increasingly likely he will finish up regardless.
"There are a number of different options in the air at the moment and I'm not exactly sure where that ball is going to land," said Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle. "We haven't gotten to that place at the moment. The club has had a number of personal discussions with Reni about what he thinks is the right thing for him going forward as well. There is no final decision."
Maitua has struggled with personal problems, including depression, and the Bulldogs are mindful of sensitively handling any potential exit strategy. However, the chances of consistent first-grade selection are remote given the depth of the Dogs' pack and the emergence of young stars such as Mose Mbye, one of his close mates at the club.
"The club is in a wait-and-see situation until these court [matters are resolved]," Castle said. "Until then we can't make any final decisions on Reni's future."
Maitua, who has spoken about his personal battles to help remove the stigma surrounding mental illness, has played 174 NRL games since making his debut for the Bulldogs a decade ago.
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[h=3]Adrian Proszenko[/h][h=4]Chief Rugby League Reporter[/h]View more articles from Adrian Proszenko
Follow Adrian on Twitter Email Adrian
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On his way?: Reni Maitua. Photo: Getty Images
Maitua is contracted to Canterbury for 2015 but his future has again been clouded by his indiscretion, a brawl outside Brisbane nightspot Hot Gossip. The 32-year-old and Samoan teammates Tautau Moga and Sauaso Sue were fined $10,000 each for their role in the incident and were made to stand down for part of the Four Nations tournament. Maitua is scheduled to appear in court after being charged over the incident, which occurred after the Pacific nation's team function in Fortitude Valley. The NRL's integrity unit is monitoring the situation while Bulldogs officials are also in discussions about Maitua's future.
The former NSW and Australian star is holidaying in Bali with a host of other NRL stars and isn't due back to preseason training until January.
It's understood Maitua and the Bulldogs are discussing the feasibility of the veteran utility playing on and it's possible he will announce his retirement before next year's kick off. Canterbury officials inserted a number of behavioural clauses in Maitua's contract and he came perilously close to being sacked after assaulting a taxi driver last year. If he is convicted in court, it will certainly be the end of his career, although it's increasingly likely he will finish up regardless.
"There are a number of different options in the air at the moment and I'm not exactly sure where that ball is going to land," said Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle. "We haven't gotten to that place at the moment. The club has had a number of personal discussions with Reni about what he thinks is the right thing for him going forward as well. There is no final decision."
Maitua has struggled with personal problems, including depression, and the Bulldogs are mindful of sensitively handling any potential exit strategy. However, the chances of consistent first-grade selection are remote given the depth of the Dogs' pack and the emergence of young stars such as Mose Mbye, one of his close mates at the club.
"The club is in a wait-and-see situation until these court [matters are resolved]," Castle said. "Until then we can't make any final decisions on Reni's future."
Maitua, who has spoken about his personal battles to help remove the stigma surrounding mental illness, has played 174 NRL games since making his debut for the Bulldogs a decade ago.
