Asu Kepaoa banned six weeks for using homophobic slur in NSW Cup
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 24, 2026, 11:45 PM
Last updated Jun 24, 2026
Newcastle forward Asu Kepaoa has received a six-week suspension for using a homophobic slur during a reserve-grade match against St George Illawarra. The 26-year-old admitted to the offense in front of the NSWRL judiciary on Wednesday. Kepaoa, who has previously played for the Tigers and Panthers, has not made his NRL debut with Newcastle yet. His suspension follows a recent push to address inappropriate language in sports.
- •Asu Kepaoa banned for six weeks by the NSWRL judiciary.
- •Incident occurred during a round-of-16 NSW Cup match.
- •Kepaoa pleaded guilty to the charge.
- •He has not yet debuted in the NRL for Newcastle.
- •The ban emphasizes the importance of appropriate conduct in sports.
- 1:41 AMYahoo Sports — Rugby league player banned for 6 matches over homophobic slur in Australian competition
- 11:45 PMThe Guardian Sport — Newcastle Knights player Asu Kepaoa given six-week ban for using homophobic slur
"A professional rugby league player has been suspended for six matches after pleading guilty to making a homophobic comment in Australia's second-tier competition last week. Newcastle Knights forward Asu Kepaoa, who has played 42 National Rugby League matches with West Tigers, was sent off in the Knights’ reserve-grade win over St. George-Illawarra in the New South Wales Cup. Kepaoa’s sanction was announced only weeks after former Sydney Roosters prop Kane Evans became the second male NRL player to come out as gay, and first since the 1990s.
"Forward pleaded guilty to judiciary for comment in reserve-grade game Former Tigers and Panthers player yet to make NRL debut for third club Newcastle forward Asu Kepaoa has been hit with a six-match ban for using a homophonic slur in a round-of-16 NSW Cup match. The 26-year-old fronted the NSWRL judiciary on Wednesday when he pleaded guilty to making the slur in the Knights’ reserve-grade defeat of St George Illawarra last week. Continue reading...
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 25, 2026, 1:41 AMRugby league player banned for 6 matches over homophobic slur in Australian competition
A professional rugby league player has been suspended for six matches after pleading guilty to making a homophobic comment in Australia's second-tier competition last week. Newcastle Knights forward Asu Kepaoa, who has played 42 National Rugby League matches with West Tigers, was sent off in the Knights’ reserve-grade win over St. George-Illawarra in the New South Wales Cup. Kepaoa’s sanction was announced only weeks after former Sydney Roosters prop Kane Evans became the second male NRL player to come out as gay, and first since the 1990s.
- The Guardian SportJun 24, 2026, 11:45 PMNewcastle Knights player Asu Kepaoa given six-week ban for using homophobic slur
Forward pleaded guilty to judiciary for comment in reserve-grade game Former Tigers and Panthers player yet to make NRL debut for third club Newcastle forward Asu Kepaoa has been hit with a six-match ban for using a homophonic slur in a round-of-16 NSW Cup match. The 26-year-old fronted the NSWRL judiciary on Wednesday when he pleaded guilty to making the slur in the Knights’ reserve-grade defeat of St George Illawarra last week. Continue reading...
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