The NRL's integrity unit is investigating claims by a Brisbane woman that she was
assaulted by South Sydney's Queensland forward Ben Te'o last month.
Te'o released a statement on Wednesday saying he had not acted improperly.
The alleged incident is
believed to have taken place at the home of current Brisbane Broncos fullback Corey Norman, who has signed to play with Parramatta next season.
Newcastle player Darius Boyd was also believed to have been present on the night of the alleged incident.
The woman has conducted an interview with Channel Nine, which is set to air on Wednesday night,
just days after the Women In League round.
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"I wish to make the following statement in relation to rumours circulating about an incident which occurred approximately one month ago in Brisbane," Te'o said in the statement.
"I am making this statement on the understanding that a television network intends to broadcast a story this evening which does not give a true account of the incident.
"I have not provided a statement to this network in response to the story. I understand that the news story contains a claim by a female that I was involved in an altercation with her at a house in Brisbane.
"I have not been informed of the exact nature of the news story, however I am able to refute entirely any suggestion that I acted improperly.
"On the night in question, I found myself in unfortunate circumstances that were not caused by me and I acted appropriately to deal with a difficult situation.
"I called the police to report the incident and have the female removed from the house.
"I have not pressed charges against the female and to the best of my knowledge no charges have been laid against me.
"I don't wish to go into any further detail about this matter because I regard the incident as unfortunate and something I wish to leave behind me.
"I have offered my co-operation to the Police, the NRL integrity unit, my Club and other authorities to ensure that this matter is dealt with in the appropriate way.
"To this point I have not had any contact from the Police since their attendance at the house, and neither my management nor my Club have had any contact from the Police or the female at the centre of this news story."
Queensland Police confirmed they had received a complaint in relation to the matter, however the complainant has not yet followed the matter up. No charges have been laid.
The woman has told Nine News Te'o left her "laying in the hallway with blood everywhere".
"I could have been dead for all they know," she said.
While promoting the interview to air Wednesday night, the television network has shown photographs of the woman with severe bruising around her eye.
The incident is believed to have occurred on the weekend of the Australia-New Zealand Test match, and is set to be investigated by the NRL's recently established integrity unit.
Te'o joined the Rabbitohs this year from Brisbane as the club's key signing, replacing David Taylor. The 26-year-old was stood down from the club's trial against Newcastle for disciplinary reasons, but has been impressive in the Rabbitohs' strong start to the season proper.
South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson said the club would stand by Te'o. Richardson said the club would not stand Te'o down while the investigation continues.
"Let's wait and see exactly what happened," Richardson said.
Te'o represented Queensland for the first time last year, and was expected to be part of the Maroons' push for eight consecutive series victories this year.
The Rabbitohs have won nine of their opening 10 matches. They play Cronulla on Monday night.
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