Ponga, Mann avoid NRL sanction over toilet-cubicle incident

Ponga and Mann were videoed vacating a Hotel Delany cubicle, at the request of a security guard, on the night of Saturday, August 13, while their teammates were getting beaten 28-10 by the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

Ponga's father and manager, Andre, subsequently told News Corp his son was sick in the toilet and Mann was merely checking on his well-being.

Both players have been unavailable for selection, Ponga after repeated concussions, and Mann because of a torn quadriceps.

The NRL Integrity Unit nonetheless launched an investigation into the incident, which included drug tests for Ponga, Mann and other unnamed Newcastle players.

The Herald has been told that those inquiries are now complete and that no further action will be taken by the NRL against the two players.

It remains unclear if the Knights will now consider imposing their own disciplinary measures.

The Herald has contacted the Knights for comment.

The episode prompted influential commentators to question whether Ponga should be stripped of the Newcastle captaincy.

Both Knights coach Adam O'Brien and football manager Peter Parr, however, indicated they would be willing to show faith in the 24-year-old, who has shared the leadership role this season with Jayden Brailey.

Prop Daniel Saifiti, who skippered on occasion last season, told the Herald on Tuesday that Ponga would learn from this experience.

"Kalyn is still young," Saifiti said.

"I know he has made mistakes but I know that he regrets it heaps and I know that he will bounce back next year too ... I've spoken to him.

"He's disappointed that he can't play this year to show that he does care. He knows it's going to be a long pre-season before he can repay the club and the fans.

"He's very mature for his age and I know he knows what to do to get back."

Saifiti said Ponga was "definitely the guy I follow, and will follow for years to come".

He said that from personal experience, captaining the Knights was "a lot of responsibility".

"I sort of felt that last year too," he said.

"It's not making an excuse for him because he knows. But he is young. He did make a mistake and it's only bad if he doesn't learn from it.

"I'm very confident and he is mature enough to learn from that and bounce back."

Ponga hasn't played since being concussed in Newcastle's round-19 loss to the Roosters on July 22. It was his fifth head knock of the season.

Mann hasn't played for the past seven weeks after a combination of ankle and quadriceps injuries.