Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton have remained tight-lipped as they arrived at Sydney airport ahead of Saturday's All Stars match in Rotorua, after footage emerged of Mitchell being arrested by police.
Mitchell and Wighton were spotted laughing and joking with each other on Monday morning, apparently determined to show there is no bad blood between the pair.
They were arrested in the early hours of Sunday after a scuffle outside a Canberra nightclub, where they had been celebrating Wighton's 30th birthday.
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They've both been charged with multiple offences, including fighting in a public place, while Mitchell has also been charged with resisting arrest.
Footage obtained by Channel Seven shows Mitchell being arrested by police, with the Souths star heard screaming "my shoulders" a number of times, apparently in pain, while a woman is heard yelling "you're literally hurting him, they weren't doing anything."
It's not known at this stage if damage done to either of Mitchell's shoulders in the scuffle could rule him out of the All Stars match.
In a joint statement released on Monday morning by the management group that represents both Mitchell and Wighton, the pair expressed regret for their actions.
"For legal reasons we cannot comment on the charges that are before the court at the moment," the statement reads.
"However we wanted to express remorse for putting ourselves in the position to embarrass our clubs and the NRL over the weekend.
"We were there to celebrate Jack's 30th with family and friends. While everyone enjoyed a great night, we understand that our wrestle, as harmless as we believed it to be, was a poor decision and may have looked bad.
"We are sorry for this, and know that we need to be better when in public.
"We remain great friends, and are looking forward to proudly representing our community at All Stars this weekend."
Wide World of Sports revealed on Sunday that a fellow NRL player who witnessed the scuffle described the pair's arrest as a "massive over-reaction" by police.
"The incident between Latrell and Jack was nothing - they were just mates who had a bit to drink mucking around," the unnamed player said.
"But then cops came from everywhere - about four of them jumped on Latrell and forced him to the ground and twisted his arms behind his back.
"He wasn't resisting and was screaming at them to stop hurting him.
"It was very distressing to watch... it was a massive over-reaction."
Mitchell and Wighton were detained by police before being released on Sunday morning.
"Two men - a 30-year-old from Bywong, NSW and a 25-year-old man from Chifley, NSW - were arrested at the scene," police said.
"The 30-year-old has been charged with fight in a public place and fail to comply with an exclusion direction, while the 25-year-old has been charged with fight in a public place, affray, and resist territory public official."
The pair will front court later this month. The NRL's integrity unit is investigating.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton have remained tight-lipped as they arrived at Sydney airport ahead of Saturday's All Stars match in Rotorua, after footage emerged of Mitchell being arrested by police.
Mitchell and Wighton were spotted laughing and joking with each other on Monday morning, apparently determined to show there is no bad blood between the pair.
They were arrested in the early hours of Sunday after a scuffle outside a Canberra nightclub, where they had been celebrating Wighton's 30th birthday.
THE MOLE: Issue that could bring 'vulnerable' Tigers undone
READ MORE: Bitter blow as Aussie bowling stocks crumble
READ MORE: Batter joins elite group with six sixes in an over
They've both been charged with multiple offences, including fighting in a public place, while Mitchell has also been charged with resisting arrest.
Footage obtained by Channel Seven shows Mitchell being arrested by police, with the Souths star heard screaming "my shoulders" a number of times, apparently in pain, while a woman is heard yelling "you're literally hurting him, they weren't doing anything."
It's not known at this stage if damage done to either of Mitchell's shoulders in the scuffle could rule him out of the All Stars match.
In a joint statement released on Monday morning by the management group that represents both Mitchell and Wighton, the pair expressed regret for their actions.
"For legal reasons we cannot comment on the charges that are before the court at the moment," the statement reads.
"However we wanted to express remorse for putting ourselves in the position to embarrass our clubs and the NRL over the weekend.
"We were there to celebrate Jack's 30th with family and friends. While everyone enjoyed a great night, we understand that our wrestle, as harmless as we believed it to be, was a poor decision and may have looked bad.
"We are sorry for this, and know that we need to be better when in public.
"We remain great friends, and are looking forward to proudly representing our community at All Stars this weekend."
Wide World of Sports revealed on Sunday that a fellow NRL player who witnessed the scuffle described the pair's arrest as a "massive over-reaction" by police.
"The incident between Latrell and Jack was nothing - they were just mates who had a bit to drink mucking around," the unnamed player said.
"But then cops came from everywhere - about four of them jumped on Latrell and forced him to the ground and twisted his arms behind his back.
"He wasn't resisting and was screaming at them to stop hurting him.
"It was very distressing to watch... it was a massive over-reaction."
Mitchell and Wighton were detained by police before being released on Sunday morning.
"Two men - a 30-year-old from Bywong, NSW and a 25-year-old man from Chifley, NSW - were arrested at the scene," police said.
"The 30-year-old has been charged with fight in a public place and fail to comply with an exclusion direction, while the 25-year-old has been charged with fight in a public place, affray, and resist territory public official."
The pair will front court later this month. The NRL's integrity unit is investigating.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
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