The Bulldogs' ability to prevent sacked back-rower Reni Maitua playing elsewhere in the NRL next season could hinge on the extent of his alleged involvement in a brawl at a Cronulla nightspot on Sunday night.

The NRL has softened its hardline approach to Maitua's sacking due to the clouded nature of the allegations against him.

The Bulldogs' investigation into the events that led to the former Test player's sacking on Tuesday centres on whether he was involved in the nightclub brawl.

An independent investigator is looking into claims Maitua was assaulted. The 26-year-old, whose contract was torn up after missing training the following day, has told his manager he was aware of the incident but was not involved.

NRL boss David Gallop conceded whether Maitua was directly involved in the fight would be "something we have to weigh up" if he were to press ahead with deregistration, after saying a day earlier he was likely to enforce it following discussions with Bulldogs officials on Wednesday.

Gallop will wait until the Bulldogs finalise a report on the events of Sunday night and Monday before deciding whether to ban Maitua from the NRL.

"These are difficult issues and there's no black and white rules about them," he said. "But certainly, the information we received [on Wednesday] indicated that it was about more than just being late for training."

Maitua had been drinking with Bulldogs teammate Lee Te Maari, who was also interviewed by Bulldogs officials on Monday but effectively cleared of any wrongdoing. It is believed he told them he was not aware of any altercation, and was unsure of Maitua's role in one, if any.

The development comes as the Rugby League Players Association vowed to back Maitua "to the hilt" should the NRL ban him next season. Describing the decision to prevent Maitua playing with another club next year as "unjust and unfair", RLPA chief executive Matthew Rodwell said the association would support legal action by Maitua to fight deregistration.

"The sacking would appear punishment enough," he said.

Rodwell encouraged other clubs to ignore the potential ban and offer Maitua a home for next season, and said he had been contacted by several players yesterday showing support.

Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg and coach Kevin Moore met Maitua's agent, Sam Ayoub, last night for more discussions about the controversial sacking. Ayoub said he would "welcome any investigation".

"It's a shame that it's gone down this path, for him to have to prove that he was not involved in an incident," Ayoub said. "Given the circumstances under which they're trying to deregister him, they'd want to come up with something. [But] there was no incident involving Reni."

Asked about the prospect of legal action, Greenberg said: "We've got no problems at our end. This is by the book and by the club's code of conduct. There won't be any issues there."

- The findings of an investigation into Ricky Stuart's behaviour after Australia's World Cup final loss to New Zealand are due to be handed to the Rugby League International Federation today. Sydney lawyer Rob Weber, SC, is understood to have concluded his inquiry and is expected to table a report today on allegations that Stuart "verbally abused and physically and aggressively intimidated" referee Ashley Klein and English referees' boss Stuart Cummings the day after the final as they were checking out of their Brisbane hotel.

The RLIF is expected to fine Stuart, and Weber's report will be sent to next Tuesday's ARL board meeting, which is due to discuss his future as Australian coach.

- Souths playmaker Craig Wing will undergo groin surgery today, which will sideline him until late February.