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The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Taylor reacted to Fa'alogo's brutal punch on Anasta in 2007 by giving him a severe dressing-down in front of the entire team.

It clearly embarrassed Fa'alogo.

One bystander in the Souths dressingroom that day said: "It was one of the best dressingroom sprays I have ever seen.

"I was inside the room and JT really gave it to him about ill-discipline."

Fa'alogo was sin-binned that night and later suspended for seven games in a match Souths lost 26-12 at ANZ Stadium.

While current Souths players say the pair have had a workable relationship since the incident, some believe it may have been the catalyst for the Mad Sunday incident. Souths officials yesterday continued to investigate the alleged punch-up between Fa'alogo and Taylor at the Forresters Hotel in Surry Hills.

The drama occurred in a first-floor private function room the day after Souths' final game of the NRL season.

Eyewitnesses say Taylor struck Fa'alogo in the stomach, with the New Zealand forward then reacting by knocking Taylor out.

One onlooker claimed the coach tumbled down stairs.

Taylor, who was placed in a taxi and sent home, has claimed the attack was completely unprovoked and that Fa'alogo charged through the room and king-hit him.

Taylor rang several players on Monday seeking their version of the drama.

The Souths coach was not returning calls again yesterday, his mobile phone message bank full.

Souths players were still shocked at the incident.

They claim Fa'alogo - despite his on-field aggression - is softly spoken off the field.

One well-placed source said: "It is way out of character for him.

"You can't get boo out of him. He is really quiet."

As of 6pm yesterday, Souths officials had not yet interviewed Fa'alogo about the incident.

Officials have spoken to Taylor.

Fa'alogo's manager Gavin Orr said: "I won't comment until the club has reached an outcome. I am happy to assist in their inquiries."

The Rabbitohs had avoided off-field dramas all season only to fall at the last hurdle.

Souths CEO Shane Richardson said: "We'll be making comment after we gather further information.

"I don't want to talk anything more about it until such time as we've had the opportunity to go through the people who witnessed the incident and we also want to talk to both Jason and David."

Fa'alogo has signed with English club Huddersfield but his NRL contract does not expire until October 31, meaning Souths can still take action against him.

If there are civil charges laid, his visa to England could be in jeopardy.

NRL chief executive David Gallop is monitoring the situation.

"I spoke to Shane Richardson and they are treating the matter very seriously," Gallop said yesterday. "They will provide us with a full report when they can."