Manchester: Joey Manu has defended Roosters teammate Victor Radley in the wake of his alleged hotel brawl at the World Cup.
Radley is facing a potential sanction over the incident from the NRL, who have launched an investigation into his alleged fight with Irish player James Bentley.
Radley allegedly headbutted Bentley at a Manchester hotel on Sunday following England’s semi-final loss to Samoa.
It is understood Bentley had been invited back to the team hotel by a member of England’s squad.
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But Bentley reportedly became abusive towards England coach Shaun Wane, taking issues with being left out of the host nation’s World Cup squad.
Radley intervened to protect him and allegedly headbutted Bentley who then required stitches.
Foxsports.com.au understands tournament officials aren’t expected to punish Radley and will leave any potential sanction for him to the NRL.
Manu defended his Roosters teammate and said he’ll always stand up for a friend he believes is being mistreated.
“I’ve just seen headlines and that (but) Victor is a good guy, I don’t think he would start something if he didn’t need to,” Manu said.
“He’s a passionate guy so if something is not being done right or somebody is crossing the line he’ll definitely stand up for a mate or somebody he really likes.”
Samoa checked into where England were staying – the Worsley Park Marriott – on Saturday after their semi-final victory and were reportedly kept awake by drunk England players knocking on their room doors then running away.
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“No one knocked on my door, thankfully,” Samoa utility Chanel Harris-Tevits said on Wednesday AEDT.
“I saw a few of them (English players). I saw Herbie Farnsworth, Elliott Whitehead… they looked a bit dusty. Good fellas – we shook their hand and they wished us all the best for this week, we appreciated that.
“I thought it was a little bit awkward coming (into England’s hotel) straight after that game but we’re mates off the field.”
Foxsports.com.au understands Radley wasn’t the only England player involved in the fracas.
England Rugby League have told foxsports.com.au they are “looking into the alleged incident”.
Bentley made headlines earlier in the tournament when he told the referee that a Lebanon player had “grabbed my balls” during their group stage match.
Bentley appeared to be accusing Kayne Kalache who was later hospitalised by a high shot from Ireland and Titans star Jaimin Jolliffe.
Radley copped a two-game suspension and was fined $20,000 by the NRL last year after tackling a man on the streets of Byron Bay in the offseason.
