A political storm has erupted over the NRL’s treatment of Parramatta Eels rising star Isaiah Iongi, with a NSW MP launching a fiery defence of the young fullback inside state parliament.
Jeremy Buckingham, a member of the Legalise Cannabis NSW Party, used parliamentary privilege to blast the league’s decision to issue Iongi with a breach notice, describing the move as excessive and out of touch.
The 22-year-old was sanctioned by the NRL for ‘bringing the game into disrepute’ after images surfaced online showing him allegedly smoking an unidentified substance.
The photos, believed to be several years old, were reportedly shared without his consent.
But Buckingham argued the reaction from the game’s governing body was wildly disproportionate.
‘It is absolutely outrageous that this young man, who is at the top of his game, dedicated and committed … is facing sanction from the NRL integrity unit after being outed, without his consent, by photos taken by another party purporting to show him smoking a ‘suspicious substance’,’ he told parliament.
NSW MP blasts NRL for punishing Isaiah Iongi over old photos, calling league’s response completely outrageous and excessive
Politician defends Eels star, saying he was ‘peacefully blazing a perfectly rolled spliff’ in private without wrongdoing
Isaiah Iongi faces breach notice after images surfaced, but no illegal activity has been confirmed by NRL
He went further in his criticism, ridiculing the league’s stance and questioning whether any wrongdoing had even occurred.
‘Maybe that suspicious substance was a little bit of cannabis. A spliff, a joint. Maybe he has a prescription. We do not even know that he was doing anything criminal.’
In a separate motion, Buckingham urged both the NRL and the World Anti-Doping Agency to rethink their position on cannabis use, calling on authorities to ‘stop clutching their pearls … and recognise the benefits of cannabis as a legitimate and therapeutic medicine’.
The debate escalated further when Buckingham framed the situation in starkly personal terms, declaring: ‘It is late in the evening, and it is time for a bath and a spliff – and that is all Isaiah Iongi has done.’
NRL officials, however, have stood by their process. In a formal statement, the league confirmed Iongi had been issued with a breach notice following an investigation by its Integrity Unit.
‘The particulars of the breach notice, determined by the Independent Decision Maker (IDM), are that Iongi featured in imagery, which emerged publicly on 22 February 2026, which has brought the game into disrepute,’ the statement read.
Iongi has five business days to respond.
Importantly, the NRL has not alleged any illegal conduct, with the case centred solely on reputational damage to the game.
Parramatta have also responded cautiously, confirming they are working through the process with their player.
‘We will work with Isaiah to review the notice and respond accordingly as per the process,’ the club said.
‘We will not be making any further comment until the matter is concluded.’
Despite the controversy, Iongi is expected to be named for Parramatta’s upcoming clash with the Penrith Panthers, with reports suggesting any punishment is likely to be limited to a fine or suspended sanction.
The young fullback remains one of the NRL’s brightest prospects, having been nominated for Dally M Rookie of the Year honours and representing Tonga on the international stage.
While Buckingham’s comments have sparked debate, not all politicians are convinced. Shadow sports minister Natalie Ward indicated that sporting bodies ultimately have the right to enforce their own standards.
