Brisbane Broncos legend in Caxton Hotel COVID scandal

Brisbane's iconic Caxton Hotel is under police investigation for alleged licence breaches, after secretly sneaking in Brisbane Broncos legend Allan Langer and hosting a private birthday party for him.

The Caxton is one of Brisbane’s oldest licensed premises, dating back to its original construction in 1864. The Caxton has history with the State of Origin Rugby League matches in particular, being the go-to pub to drive the Queenslander spirit. The Caxton was behind the annual “Running of the Buses”, which sees patrons waving and cheering on their team’s bus as it made its way to the stadium. While the event hasn’t run in years, it put Caxton on the map for being the place to be on origin night.

Today, the Caxton Hotel isn’t being celebrated. 

Langer was allegedly accompanied by fellow Broncos staff members Ryan Whitely and Blake Duncan.

After their visit to the Caxton Hotel came to light, all three were placed into 14 day quarantine and fined $5000 for breaking the NRL’s coronavirus protocols.

As Channel Nine reported, police are now investigating whether the pub switched off car park CCTV and ID scanners before sneaking the trio into the hotel.

The Broncos staff aren’t the only rugby leaguers in trouble.

Player Tevita Pangai Junior was also issued with a contract breach notice after it came to light that he had visited a barber shop on Saturday in the south of Brisbane.

The 24 year old was placed into 14 days quarantine. 

NRL's rules stipulate that players and staff members are not allowed to attend public venues as a barrier from the broader community. 

It comes after Dr Jeannette Young, Queensland's Chief Health Officer said the 2020 NRL season may be put at risk because of the code's strict biosecurity rules.

Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk has also advised that such actions could undo the work done by Queensland to keep a second wave of COVID-19 at bay.