Wests Tigers veteran David Nofoaluma has endorsed Luke Brooks to remain the Tigers' five-eighth and supported the club's investigation into a leak that prompted reports he would be dropped for their next game.
The Tigers' poor on-field performances led to the sacking of coach Michael Maguire this month as well as to criticism of Brooks' performance in the halves.
Ahead of the Tigers' next game, reports emerged that interim coach Brett Kimmorley would drop Brooks to reserve grade for the first time in his 10-year NRL career.
A source at the Tigers told AAP this week that Kimmorley had not yet finalised his 17 to face the Warriors on July 3 and on Thursday, Nofoaluma said the playing group had not been notified as to any personnel changes, either.
"From my knowledge and speaking for the players, we've heard nothing about it," he told AAP.
"We don't know where (the leak) has come from. From my knowledge, Luke is playing in the next game.
"It's very difficult because you can't really point fingers but I've seen that the club is doing an internal investigation which is good.
"You can't have this type of stuff coming out in the media ... It's pretty disappointing."
Brooks and winger Nofoaluma both made their NRL debuts at Wests Tigers in 2013 and have gone on to become the sixth and ninth most-capped players in club history, respectively.
Nofoaluma hoped his friend and teammate could retain his spot in the NRL side going forward.
"Me and Luke, we started our NRL careers in the same year, together," he said.
"He's been a long-term teammate. Of course I'd like him to be in the team."
On Saturday, Nofoaluma will play for Samoa at Campbelltown Stadium, one of the Tigers' three home grounds.
Nofoaluma has scored 17 tries in 24 appearances at the venue and hoped home ground advantage would get him over the line against the Cook Islands.
"It's an area that I grew up in," he said.
"I played all my junior grand finals at club footy level at that ground so it makes it extra special for myself and everyone in the community.
"As an Australian-born Samoan, it's always special to come into camp and get the experience and see a little bit of what my heritage and culture are about."
