Two of rugby league's latest bad boys have been given a reprieve by the NRL.
Canterbury Bulldogs pair Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor have had their contracts reinstated, three months after the governing body cancelled their registrations.
The two Bulldogs were involved in an alleged sex scandal earlier this year after meeting up with two schoolgirls they had spoken too at a local high school in Port Macquarie as part of a pre-season community event.
At the time of their de-registration in April, the club backed the NRL's decision saying: "our united view as a club is that a firm line must be drawn in the sand to uphold the standards and values that define our club," adding that "this type of behaviour will simply not be tolerated."
But the NRL Appeals Committee revised the pair's sanctions on Monday, which allows both players the opportunity to resume their playing commitments once their suspensions have been served.
Kiwi international Harawira-Naera will be available for selection as soon as next week, while Okunbor will be clear to play next month.
The Bulldogs will need to seek biosecurity advice as to if and when they can add the players to their 50-person quarantine bubble in Sydney.
NRL acting chief executive Andrew Abdo expressed his disappointment at the reduced punishments.
"The NRL took the action which it considered necessary given the serious breaches of the Code of Conduct – breaches the appeals committee also found to be serious," Abdo said.
"The independent appeals committee has taken a different view on what penalty the players should face and although we are disappointed, we respect the outcome."
