QUEENSLAND mining magnate Clive Palmer has unwittingly given NSW vital ammunition to take into Wednesday’s series-opening State of Origin clash.
Despite an apology on Friday, Palmer’s sledge in calling rookie Blues coach a grub did not sit well with a fuming NSW contingent intent on ending Queensland’s eight-year Origin reign.
The barb hit a nerve with the normally reserved Daley.
“That’s very disappointing,” Daley told Fox Sports.
“I don’t know Clive Palmer at all.
“Obviously he’s a very proud and passionate Queenslander, but for someone that wants to put himself out there in politics and wants to rule this country … I find those comments very disturbing.”
But antagonistic forward Anthony Watmough spoke on behalf of the team when he said the Blues welcomed any ammunition on offer from north of the border.
“(Palmer is) entitled to his opinion. Has he ever played footy?” Watmough said on Friday.
“I’ve got no opinion of what other people are thinking. We’re worried about us down here.
“If they want to fire a bit of extra ammunition, fire away.
“We’ll take it all on board.”
Feisty NSW bench utility Josh Reynolds’ on-field personality has actually earned him the nickname ‘grub’.
He says he has had some tips on how to handle the Origin cauldron from his more experienced teammates.
“I definitely don’t mind the rough stuff,” said Reynolds, who is making his Origin debut.
“And how the boys have explained (Origin) to me – that’s how it is.
“You get out there and it’s just 80 minutes of the hardest thing that you’ve ever done.”
It may be even harder for the Maroons against a fired-up Blues outfit, thanks to Palmer.
It all started when Palmer told Fox Sports of the lengths he would go to to ensure star five-eighth Johnathan Thurston would be able to take the field for game one on Wednesday, despite the impending birth of Thurston’s first child.
“(Thurston) is the best halfback in the world,” Palmer said.
“We know that, those grubs Laurie Daley and those (NSW) guys, they know that too, and they’re desperate to win.
“They’ll do anything.”
Palmer apologised, admitting he got it wrong and saying the Maroons were lucky Daley, a champion of 23 Origins for the Blues, was no longer playing.
“In haste, and being such a staunch Maroons fan, I regrettably called Laurie a grub,” Palmer said in a statement.
“It was in the spirit of making casual banter but I got it wrong and I am sorry.
“I can understand how offensive it would have been and I really meant no disrespect to Laurie and his team.” - AAP
[ Source: Australian Times ]