sport news Knights are treating NRL star Kalyn Ponga like a 'protected species' after pub ... trends now
The Knights are being accused of treating skipper Kalyn Ponga as a protected species in the wake of the star's pub toilet scandal - with teammates facing harsher sanctions for what is seen by many as less serious offences.
Ponga and teammate Kurt Mann - who are both currently sidelined with injury - were kicked out of the same toilet cubicle at the Delany Hotel in Newcastle's CBD on Saturday evening.
It was the same night the Knights were getting belted 28-10 by the Broncos, with the club languishing at 14th on the ladder after a diabolical season.
Ponga's father Andre was immediately on the front foot when video emerged on Monday of Kalyn and Mann being kicked out of the same cubicle.
Kalyn Ponga has found himself in the spotlight, with the team accused of treating him like a 'protected species'
Ponga is seen (far left) being asked to leave a pub toilet cubicle by security alongside teammate Kurt Mann (out of picture)
Since then, however, there have been so many mixed messages from the Ponga camp, Newcastle and even the pub, that it is hard to keep track on what the current version is.
'He made an exciting house purchase Saturday and celebrated with a few mates drinking. Sick in the toilet and his mate went in to help him,' Andre Ponga told the Daily Telegraph on Monday.
That explanation has been heavily scrutinised, with some onlookers questioning why the pair decided to take their drinks into the cubicle if Ponga was feeling unwell.
Kalyn Ponga (left) and Kurt Man (right) celebrate a try in the Knights' round 15 loss against the Raiders
Mann is seen exiting the toilet cubicle first after being kicked out by hotel security
It's now been claimed, Ponga was not in fact drunk, and was only at the pub for less than 30 minutes - something which has been told to the club, who are still completing an investigation.
So what is the REAL story?
We may never really know, but what is without question is both Mann and Ponga were out drinking while injured - a huge no-no at elite sporting clubs
