Sivo and Reynolds to find out fate before NRL Nines

As per the league’s policy, players charged with an offence that carries a maximum jail sentence of 11 years or more are immediately stood down until the matter is finalised in court. Greenberg can also stand down players on lesser charges.

Reynolds has pleaded not guilty to a domestic violence charge after allegedly assaulting his ex-partner, causing bruising to her right arm and left leg. He will return to court on July 23.

Parramatta winger Sivo was charged in Fiji with indecent assault after he allegedly touched the skirt of a waitress on Boxing Day. His next court date is set for February 17, which he has been excused from attending.

Both alleged offences carry maximum penalties of less than 11 years, but players facing charges involving women or children are said to be more likely to be stood down by Greenberg.

Last year, the NRL boss made the call to stand down Manly centre Dylan Walker and Panthers player Tyrone May despite both players facing charges that carried sentences of less than 11 years.

May pleaded guilty to recording four sex tapes without the consent of the women in them, while Walker faced domestic violence allegations of which he was subsequently acquitted.

Reynolds and Sivo are set to be told whether they will be available in round one before the NRL Nines, which runs in Perth from February 14-15. The tournament, which includes all 16 clubs, returns after a two-year absence and kicks off the rugby league season.

Rugby league’s players union is fighting for greater clarity around the stand-down rule, arguing more guidelines are needed to understand when players will be affected by the policy.

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Over the next month, the Rugby League Players Association will meet with the NRL before an arbitrator over the implementation of the stand-down rule, which the union argues breached the terms of the game’s collective bargaining agreement. If the arbitrator finds the NRL was in breach, the RLPA says it will push for the rule to include guidelines on when the CEO can stand down a player.