St George Illawarra Dragons prop Russell Packer no longer facing deportation

Former New Zealand Test prop Russell Packer will make his return to the NRL with St George Illawarra next season after being cleared by immigration authorities to stay in the country after serving a jail sentence for assault.

Despite being given the green light by the NRL to join the Dragons, Packer faced the threat of deportation under a Federal Government crackdown on non-citizens with crime convictions.

The Dragons have been advised by Russell Packer's legal team of the positive outcome with respect to his immigration status 

St George Illawarra statement

Packer, 26, was paroled after serving 12 months of a two year jail sentence for an assault in Martin Place in 2013. He had been due to join the Newcastle Knights but was sacked and played for St George Illawarra's feeder team after being released from jail earlier this year..

Russell Packer in action for the Illawarra Cutters against the Newtown Jets in May. Photo: Dallas Kilponen

He has since been granted permission to play in the NRL next year and has been training with the Dragons, who were advised on Wednesday that he could now stay.

"The Dragons have been advised by Russell Packer's legal team of the positive outcome with respect to his immigration status," the club said in a statement.

"The Dragons and Russell respect the process, are pleased by the outcome and have no further comment to make on this situation.

"Russell's position at the Dragons remains unchanged, in that he continues to train fulltime in preparation for the 2016 season."

Packer is considered a key signing for St George Illawarra and has been working hard off the field to turn his life around, with the former Warriors frontrower recently completing a Certificate IV in Community Services at Wollongong TAFE.