Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
The Asu Kepaoa homophobic slur incident has prompted Newcastle Knights coach Justin Holbrook to reaffirm the club's commitment to education and accountability after the NSW Cup player received a six game suspension. Kepaoa was banned by the NSW Rugby League judiciary on Wednesday night after pleading guilty to a contrary conduct charge stemming from an on field incident during Newcastle's reserve grade victory over St George Illawarra last Friday. The case has drawn significant attention across rugby league and comes at a time when inclusion and respect remain key issues within the sport.
Kepaoa apologised during the judiciary hearing and accepted the penalty handed down by officials.
Holbrook Addresses Incident
Speaking on Thursday, Holbrook acknowledged the seriousness of the matter and said both the player and club were focused on learning from the experience.
“Everyone knows it’s not right, and he’s paid a heavy price for that, personally and as a club,” Holbrook said.
The Knights coach stressed that the club had already invested considerable effort into player education around behaviour, respect and inclusion.
However, he admitted the incident highlighted the need for continued awareness and accountability.
“We do a lot of education in those areas but what happened was not right and he has accepted responsibility and the outcome of it,” Holbrook said.
“We’ve got to move on and learn from it.”
Judiciary Hands Down Six Game Suspension
Kepaoa's suspension means he will be unavailable for both NRL and NSW Cup selection until Round 23.
The sanction followed his guilty plea at the NSW Rugby League judiciary, where he accepted responsibility for the language used during the match.
The incident resulted in Kepaoa being sent off during the game and made him the first NRL listed player suspended for a homophobic slur since 2022.
The Knights subsequently accepted the punishment and confirmed their support for the disciplinary process.
Newcastle Responds
In an official statement, Newcastle indicated the club would continue working closely with Kepaoa following the suspension.
The Knights said further education would focus on the impact of language and the responsibilities that come with representing the organisation.
The club reiterated its commitment to maintaining standards consistent with its values and expectations.
Newcastle's response has centred on both accountability and rehabilitation, with the focus now shifting toward ensuring similar incidents do not occur in the future.
Timing Brings Additional Attention
The incident comes only weeks after former NRL forward Kane Evans publicly discussed his experiences as a gay player.
Evans became just the second male rugby league player after Ian Roberts to publicly come out as gay, sharing details about the personal challenges he faced throughout his career.
His comments generated widespread discussion across the game about inclusivity, respect and the importance of creating safe environments for players.
Against that backdrop, the Kepaoa incident has reinforced the need for ongoing education around language and behaviour within professional sport.
Kepaoa's Career So Far
The 26 year old joined Newcastle from Penrith ahead of the 2026 season but has not yet featured in first grade for the Knights.
Instead, he has spent the year playing in the NSW Cup, appearing in 12 of Newcastle's 14 matches before the suspension.
Kepaoa previously played 43 NRL games for Wests Tigers between 2020 and 2024.
His most recent NRL appearance came in May 2024.
The suspension now sidelines him for several weeks as he works through the consequences of the incident.
Focus Turns to Education
While the disciplinary process has concluded, Holbrook made it clear that the broader lesson remains important for both the player and the club.
The Knights believe education and accountability are critical components in preventing future incidents and ensuring players understand the impact their words can have on others.
With Kepaoa accepting responsibility and Newcastle publicly addressing the issue, the club hopes to move forward while reinforcing the standards expected of everyone involved in the organisation.
