NRL star in controversy over phone
call

Rugby League has been thrown into further controversy this morning, with a woman complaining that an obscene voice message was left on her phone by a State of Origin player in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The phone call was allegedly generated from Anthony Minichiello?s mobile phone, but the Blues winger claims his phone was stolen and he did not make the calls.

The call was made just after 3:30 yesterday morning when a number of players were in a cab heading to Star City Casino at Pyrmont. It?s understood a team bonding session had concluded around 30 minutes earlier, but a number of player wanted to continue drinking.

The latest claims come in the same week that league officials held a costly conference in Sydney relating to how women are treated by rugby league players.

It?s understood the Sydney Roosters have been contacted by the woman who received the phone call, and are investigating.

ARL Chief Executive Geoff Carr told ABC radio this morning that the situation is simply "a massive beat up".

"A woman phoned his club but I'm sure when she receives the explanation of the incident she'll be well satisfied," Carr said.

The ARL is also said to be investigating an incident involving three rugby league players who were allegedly misbehaving on a government bus at 7:30 yesterday morning.