UPDATE: NORTH Queensland Cowboys Coach Paul Green has downplayed an egging incident, allegedly involving five players, including Jason Taumalolo, Kalyn Ponga and Tautau Moga.

Green has been in contact with the NRL integrity and NRL CEO Todd Greenberg this morning to discuss the egging and said the club would be investigating.

“There’s been an alleged egging overnight, of which a couple of our players are alleged to be involved in,” Green said.

“We will be conducting a full investigation, but nothing will change for this weekend and the club, once we get to the bottom of the facts, will make some decisions about what happens when we get back next week.

“The club has been in contact with the integrity unit ... I’ve also personally spoken to Todd Greenberg this morning, he’s aware of it.

“We are focused on getting the game out of the way and we will sort it out next week.”

Green tried to downplay the incident saying it was just an egging and he would have been as much of a handful when he was the players’ age.

“In the whole scheme of things though, lets keep it in context, we are talking about an egging here, whilst the club don’t condone that sort of behaviour, it’s certainly not what we expect from our players,” he said.

“If it does turn out to be true, we are very aware of the impact we have on the community and our players, I think all in all do a pretty good job at trying to help the community wherever they can.

“It’s disappointing if it does turn out to be true as it’s not what we are about as a club, but as I said in the whole scheme of things we are talking about an egging here and let’s keep it in context.

“Back when I was the same age, I probably would have been as much trouble as these boys, if it does turn out to be true.”

EARLIER:

JASON Taumalolo has been named as one of five North Queensland players to face court after alleged egging incident in Townsville on Wednesday night.

North Queensland’s preparation for Saturday’s major semi-final against the Storm in Melbourne has been thrown into disarray following the bizarre incident.

media_camera Jason Taumalolo. Photo: Getty Images

Taumalolo is unlikely to be suspended for the Storm clash but is facing a fine from the Cowboys.

Taumalolo, a New Zealand Test star, is regarded as one of the NRL’s best forwards and the Cowboys chose him to represent the club at the finals launch in Sydney on Monday.

Cowboys under-20s superstar Kalyn Ponga — rated the next Johnathan Thurston — and injury-prone centre Tautau Moga are others involved in the ‘Egghead’ scandal.

Ponga is highly rated by the club and was named in the NRL’s under-20s team of the year on Monday.

media_camera North Queensland Cowboys under-20s player Kalyn Ponga. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The Cowboys informed the NRL’s Integrity Unit of the incident on Thursday morning, just hours before they were due to fly to Melbourne.

Queensland Police confirmed they were investigating an incident involving five men.

“It will be alleged around 10pm the men attended a Hugh Street convenience store and purchased a number of eggs,” the statement read.

“As the men left the business it will be alleged they threw eggs at five vehicles parked nearby causing damage before driving off in a vehicle.

“A number of vehicles suffered minor damage in the alleged incident.

“Around 11.30pm police were patrolling nearby when they stopped a vehicle for the purpose of a random breath test (RBT). At this time a member of the public advised officers that this vehicle was allegedly involved in an earlier wilful damage incident in Hugh Street.

“It will further be alleged a number of eggs and egg cartons were located in the vehicle.

“The men, aged 18, 21, 22, 23 and 25, have all been issued with Notices to Appear for two counts each of wilful damage.”

The group are due to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on October 11, nine days after a potential grand final berth.