The playing futures of Taufua and Loko are now up in the air. The school friends went toe-to-toe in a heated exchange on a Sydney footpath outside the Hotel Chambers on Elizabeth Street and the melee is under investigation by the NRL's integrity unit.

Despite being separated by security guards, the pair again clashed, with the fight spilling onto the street.

A witness told Fairfax Media they saw Loko after the incident in the early hours of Sunday morning "with his shirt off" talking about the fight with Taufua. "He was wasted," the witness told Fairfax Media. "He couldn't even stand up without someone holding him up.

"He also had a small cut or mark on his cheek."

Loko's career is now at the crossroads.

In January, Loko pleaded guilty to high-range drink-driving in a Manly court after being stopped by police and recording a blood alcohol reading nearly four times over the legal limit. He is yet to play a top grade game for the Bulldogs after arriving at the club in the middle of last year from the Eels.

Manly's Taufua also has a sketchy past. He narrowly avoided jail in 2013 for spitting on a police officer on the Gold Coast while celebrating his 21st birthday.

He was close to earning a NSW jersey last year but was dropped by the Sea Eagles at the end of last year after a range of handling errors from bombs.

Taufua is injured after damaging his knee in pre-season. The big winger was expected to miss the first two months of the season. He was spotted at Manly training with a crutch aiding his walk.

Manly and Canterbury released similar statements on Monday afternoon.

"The Bulldogs can confirm an incident in the city on Saturday night between players Jacob Loko and Jorge Taufua (Manly Sea Eagles), who are long-term friends," the Bulldogs statement read.

"The club has spoken to Loko regarding the incident and will now continue to look into the matter. To the club's knowledge this is not a police matter and no one else was involved in the incident.

"The NRL Integrity unit have been advised. The Bulldogs are in communication with Manly management and the club will not make any comment until all enquiries are complete."

Loko arrived at Belmore in the middle of last year after a series of injuries restricted him to just 23 appearances for Parramatta since making his debut in 2011.

The 22-year-old not only went through two knee reconstructions, he also twice suffered setbacks because of staph infections.

Since arriving at Belmore during the middle of last year, after being off-loaded to ease pressure on the Parramatta salary cap, he has earned rave reviews from Canterbury coaching staff.

Meanwhile, Cronulla five-eighth Ben Barba is facing three weeks on the sidelines after being hit with two charges. An early guilty plea to both grade one dangerous throw and dangerous contact charges will see Barba miss two games.

Newcastle Knights forward Korbin Sims was also slapped with two dangerous throw charges which will see him suspended for two games with an early guilty plea.

Canberra back-rower Shaun Fensom (one week) and Wests Tigers winger Pat Richards (one-two weeks) are both facing time on the sidelines for dangerous contact with head/neck charges.

St George Illawarra second-rower Joel Thompson (dangerous contact), South Sydney's Glenn Stewart (dangerous throw) and Gold Coast's Eddy Pettybourne (careless high tackle) will be free to play if they enter early guilty pleas.

NRL hopeful Adam Docker could be banned for three games for the Panthers after being sent off for a shoulder charge on Cronulla's Nathan Gardner in the NSW Cup.

Wests Tigers youngster Marion Seve was hit with a grade five dangerous throw charge in the under-20s, which could see him sidelined for up to nine weeks. Seve will miss at least six games despite not being sent off for the tackle against South Sydney on Sunday.