The welcome to Las Vegas sign Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Canberra Raiders pair Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies have apologised for a Las Vegas hotel "scuffle" that briefly saw them both kicked out of the premises.
The two international stars became involved in an altercation with each other after a night out last week, when a hotel mix-up left one of them without a room.
Hotel security was called and briefly removed the duo.
Young and Smithies have fronted the media in Las Vegas to explain the incident and offer apologies.
"I want to apologise for the actions on Thursday night. It wasn't good enough," Young said.
"The NRL invests so much time and effort into this game. It's such a great space to be a part of here in Vegas and a great spectacle.
"We came back after a night out on Thursday and there was an issue with the room.
"There was a scuffle in the elevator, nothing in the hallways.
"We came back as a team and one of the boys had got a toy baseball bat somewhere. That was mistaken as a weapon in the elevator but it played no role."
Young and Smithies have been sanctioned by the Raiders but will not be stood down for the weekend's game.
"Things got a bit out of hand on Thursday night," Young said.
"I'm happy to move on. I'm embarrassed for myself, our teammates and the NRL."
Canberra Raiders' Hudson Young playing against the Warriors in last year's NRL. Photo: Photosport
"We've dealt with it internally as a club. Sticky's [coach Ricky Stuart] been on the front foot and everything has been dealt with."
Young explained he and Smithies are close friends, as are their respective partners who are currently travelling through the US together.
"I spoke to my partner but there was nothing to say because we're best mates. It was honestly nothing," Young said.
"He was at mine for Christmas and our partners are travelling America at the moment, so there's no issues there.
"We're so close as a team and me and Morgan are really good mates. Everyone knows that.
"I feel awful, especially for my family as well. It's a massive thing for them coming over here and they have to deal with this as well."
The Raiders play the Warriors in Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon to kick off their 2025 NRL season.
This story was first published by the ABC.
