Greg Inglis speaks with the media as he attends a South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL training session last month. Photo / Getty Images
The NRL will go in search of more answers after salary cap auditor Ian Schubert's investigation into Greg Inglis' $1.8 million deal with South Sydney tossed up fresh questions over the validity of proposed third-party deals.
NRL boss David Gallop revealed that Schubert had come across some new information regarding
the payments, which the Rabbitohs hope they will not be forced to include as part of their salary cap.
"We got some information around the third-party deals yesterday, but we require some more information," Gallop said on Wednesday.
"The important thing about this situation is he's under contract to Melbourne for two more years, he was also very close to doing a deal with Brisbane Broncos, so we need to make sure that this Souths deal complies with the salary cap.
"I'm sure it's frustrating for Greg, but it could be frustrating for everyone in the game if this isn't done according to the rules."
The third party deals are believed to total $A200,000 ($NZ263,000) a season, beyond the $A190,000 the Bunnies hope to register Inglis under the salary cap in the first of of his three years at the club.
It is believed the NRL's greatest query is whether the deals had been organised by the club to get Inglis to Redfern, which would then have to be included under the salary cap.
Gallop could not give an exact timeframe for when a decision would be made, saying only that it would be done "as quickly as possible".
Meanwhile, Rabbitohs captain Roy Asotasi said he was "confident" the club would secure the Test ace.
"He's been around, he's actually slotted in pretty well with the boys so we've got our fingers crossed," Asotasi said.
"We're pretty sure things will look good, but that's out of our hands as players."
Asotasi said Inglis joining would give the team a much-need boost during next year's NRL campaign, but admitted the first priority was to get him back on the training paddock following off-season shoulder and hip surgery.
"(He needs) to get himself right and have a break and perform to the best of his ability," Asotasi said.
"I think he'll add a bit of experience (and) he'll bring that leadership to the side too.
"(And) just Greg Inglis himself, just the name brings a lot of confidence along to our other players."
- AAP
