WIGAN Warriors have admitted that one of their forwards has played the first three months of the season suffering from the bloodQAA illness hepatitis B - but deny any cover-up.
Former New Zealand rugby league captain Quentin Pongia discovered he had the disease in January and has been having treatment for the ailment, which is passed by blood-to-blood contact.
The 33-year-old prop has appeared in all 14 of Wigan's matches this season, including the Challenge Cup final.
He also played against Huddersfield Giants at the McAlpine Stadium on April 4.
Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay said they were prevented by legal reasons from revealing details of a player's medical condition.
He said the other Super League clubs and the Rugby League were told of the matter before the season.
Mr Lindsay said the rest of the Wigan squad were tested and inoculated.
He added that Pongia, who only recently discovered he contracted the ailment at birth, was well on the way to making a full recovery.
Ralph Rimmer, Giants chief executive, said
the subject of blood illnessses from overseas players had been brought before meetings by Mr Lindsay, although no names had been mentioned.
He added that he assumed that the Rugby League knew of the situation and it had been monitored.
