NRL star Josh Addo-Carr found himself at the centre of a hilarious prank orchestrated by his Parramatta Eels teammates, leaving the speedster utterly bewildered.
The winger was tricked into believing his player rating in the upcoming Rugby League video game had been brutally downgraded, sparking a mix of disbelief and outrage.
The Setup
Addo-Carr's teammates went to elaborate lengths to convince him that developers had given him a shockingly low rating of just 72 in the new game - a significant drop from his usual elite status.
A fake screenshot was carefully crafted to sell the illusion, complete with authentic-looking graphics and stats that would fool even the most discerning eye.
Addo-Carr's Reaction
The usually quick-footed star was caught completely off guard by the prank. 'Seventy-two? That can't be right!' he exclaimed in genuine shock when presented with the doctored image.
His teammates struggled to contain their laughter as Addo-Carr scrutinised the fake rating, his competitive spirit clearly wounded by the perceived slight.
The Big Reveal
The prank was eventually revealed to be just that - a lighthearted joke among teammates. The actual rating for the Bulldogs-bound winger remains under wraps, but is expected to reflect his status as one of the NRL's most dangerous attacking weapons.
This isn't the first time video game ratings have caused controversy in rugby league circles, but it might be one of the most elaborate pranks pulled off in recent memory.
