Rugby League: Carney Handed On-the-spot Fine for Pub Fracas After Knights Debut

Great Britain's vice-captain Brian Carney is counting the cost of an eventful first weekend in Australia's National Rugby League after being thrown out of a pub and handed an on-the-spot police fine as he celebrated a try-scoring debut for the Newcastle Knights.

The Irishman had been drinking with his former Wigan team-mate Matthew Johns, who reportedly told onlookers that a decision "is pending via the video referee" as police studied CCTV footage of Carney's scuffle with security staff outside the Steyne Hotel on the Esplanade in the coastal suburb of Manly.

According to Sydney's Daily Telegraph, the trouble started when Johns asked bar staff to turn on the jukebox. They refused because a band called Mixed Nuts were about to begin a set but Johns and Carney protested, then Carney was thrown out by security staff "after becoming aggressive and argumentative".

According to witnesses, Carney continued to remonstrate with security personnel outside, shouting: "We haven't done anything wrong, I just want to finish my beer," before storming back into the pub, where he clashed again with the security staff, one of whom claimed to have been punched.

Carney was issued with an infringement notice and fined A$550 (£230) for breaching the licensing laws by re-entering the pub after being told to leave. Carney telephoned the pub's management yesterday to apologise and Johns's agent John Fordham issued a statement claiming that Carney had "attempted to re-enter the hotel, believing he'd misplaced his wallet". Newcastle's chief executive Ken Conway said: "I regard the fine and embarrassment Brian has suffered as sufficient punishment."

Adrian Morley, the other Great Britain international in Australia, is also in hot water after being put on report for a high tackle on the former Leeds stand-off Ben Walker in Sydney Roosters' victory over South Sydney at the weekend. "I'm a tall bloke," Morley said in mitigation.

Hull will start their defence of the Powergen Challenge Cup at Bradford, the Super League champions, in the pick of the fourth-round ties. Wigan have a tricky trip to Wakefield in the other all-Super League tie.

Harlequins' first cup tie since their takeover of London Broncos will be at home to Toulouse, last year's surprise semi-finalists, and the third-round amateur giantkillers Thornhill Trojans go to the French Super League newcomers Catalans Dragons.

Powergen Challenge Cup, fourth round Featherstone v West Bowling or Keighley, Catalans Dragons v Thornhill Trojans, Swinton or Sheffield v Ovenden or York, Hunslet v Hull KR, Batley v Whitehaven, Widnes v Castleford, St Helens v Doncaster, Warrington v London Skolars, Harlequins v Toulouse, Widnes St Maries or Barrow v Oldham, Rochdale v Celtic Crusaders, Kells or Halifax v Huddersfield, Wakefield v Wigan, Bradford v Hull, Leigh v Leeds, Salford v Dewsbury.

Matches to be played March 31 to April 2.