For alleged cocaine incident

The alleged episode — combined with the one-sided match on Friday — could evolve into another dark chapter for New Zealand league.

For a code that struggles to attract corporate support and fights for media coverage, such incidents are very damaging to the game, especially in a World Cup year.

But it’s not the end of the world and the sport will bounce back. It always does.

Just look at some of the past incidents. In 1989 David Ewe was sent home from the Kiwis’ tour of England, after repeated alcohol- related indiscretions, and later on the same trip three players spent a night in a Spanish jail.

The 2007 Centenary celebrations were ruined by a 0-58 loss to Australia in Wellington, which was followed by a disastrous tour of the England and France. Several players, including captain Roy Asotasi and current coach David Kidwell, publicly questioned coach Gary Kemble’s ability which eventually led to his resignation. Around the same time the NZRL was virtually broke, which prompted a damming review from government agency Sparc and resulted in the resignation of the entire board.

The 2013 World Cup was also a forgettable campaign, with a 2-34 loss in the final and the stilnox/energy drinks scandal involving at least six players.

Despite all that, and numerous upheavals at the country’s only NRL club over the years, the sport maintains its popularity and supporter base.

If the experienced Bromwich and Proctor were scratched from the World Cup they would be big losses, but not irreplaceable.