Oct 31st, 2017

Oct 31st, 2017

James Tedesco has spoken about the brawl with his jealous Italian World Cup teammate, claiming it was all a misunderstanding and he had begged officials not to punt him over it.

The NRL's Integrity unit is now investigating the incident which occurred in a Cairns pub, the Pier Hotel, on Sunday night after the team's surprise loss to Ireland.

Tedesco was king-hit by Shannon Wakeman, who plays for Huddersfield in the English Super League, who believed the NRL star fullback was hitting on his partner, Aimee Bloomfield.

"It was just a miscommunication between myself and him, there were a few drinks and it quickly escalated," Tedesco told The Daily Telegraph.

"It's sad it happened.

"The next morning we met, shook hands and apologised.

Aimee Bloomfield was at the centre of a fight between James Tedesco and his Italian World Cup teammate Shannon Wakeman. (Instagram)

"It wouldn't have been right if we had gotten rid of him. It took a bit of courage from both of us to admit we were wrong – it takes a bigger man not to hold a grudge."

The Italian team were ejected from the hotel after the incident led to an all-in melee and Tedesco and Wakeman were later fined $10,000 each.

Tedesco pleaded with coach Cameron Ciraldo and officials not to sack Wakeman over the incident after his hotel pass was confiscated and he was told to make his own way back home.

The pair is now focussed on Italy's next match against the USA which they must win to keep their hopes alive of progressing to the next stage.

NRL Integrity Unit chief investigator Karyn Murphy, a former Jillaroo and Queensland police detective, will head the investigation and has asked for a report from team management.

Aimee Bloomfield and Shannon Wakeman. (Instagram)

"The RLWC has been made aware of an incident involving the the Italian team in Cairns on Sunday night," a statement from the tournament organisers read.

"The matter has been referred to the integrity unit. It would be inappropriate to make any further comment until we receive a final report."

Federation of Italian Rugby League (FIRL) president Orazio D'Arro said his organisation wouldn't take the issue lightly.

"FIRL understands the importance of ensuring that players are not to engage in conduct that is detrimental or damaging to rugby league or the Rugby League World Cup,"" D'Arro said.

"Both players involved understand their obligations to the Rugby League World Cup and the acceptable behaviour in public."