Doyle fends off critics

Warriors chief executive Jim Doyle has defended prize recruit Kieran Foran against the critics protesting his clearance to take the field this season.

The Kiwis half terminated his contract with Parramatta Eels last season, amid a storm of personal and professional issues that culminated in him attempting suicide.

The NRL this week cleared Foran to play for the Warriors, but Sydney’s Daily Telegraph has reported that Foran sent a series of abusive texts and phone calls to columnist Rebecca Wilson who died of cancer last year.

This report drew a strong response from NRL women’s adviser Catherine Lumby.

“That [ Wilson] was abused and harassed in this manner by a football player is disgraceful,” said Lumby. “I am appalled that harsher sanctions have not been applied given that there is evidence of this behaviour.”

Lumby has worked with the NRL on gender issues for more than a decade.

However, Doyle is adamant that Foran had addressed this and other issues before receiving the NRL’s endorsement to play.

“We were well aware that when his contract was registered, some people would see it as positive, but unfortunately some would see it as negative,” he said yesterday.

“Kieran’s had discussions on all aspects of his past with the NRL and therefore there’s no need for any further discussions. People are now putting their side of the story, but Kieran had given his side to the NRL, they’ve accepted that and therefore registered him.”

Foran signed with the Warriors last September but has been off limits to the media since then. “I’m sure Kieran will give his side of the story at some point . . . but now is not that time,” said Doyle.