Tom Raudonikis blasts Maroon Kangaroos over victory song; Tim Sheens joins in

NSW representative rugby league players have finally won a game, but they're still finding something to whinge about after the Maroons' players in the team sang the Queensland victory song.

Tim-Sheens

QUEENSLAND'S Test players have been branded "smart a---s" by former NSW coach Tom Raudonikis after singing their State of Origin victory song while representing Australia but not all Blues were upset.

As our picture shows, Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens, also a former NSW coach, joined in the Maroon-led sing-along.

NSW Origin captain Paul Gallen said he noticed Queenslanders had broken into their "aye aye yippee yippee aye" ditty after Australia's 18-10 Townsville Test win on Saturday night.

As players gathered around the trophy, Channel 9 captured several Maroons players celebrating with the lyrics that have become synonymous with their Origin domination.

The song sent Twitter into meltdown, but caused a tremendous stir with Raudonikis.

"(An) absolute disgrace," Raudonikis said.

Blues boys Gallen and Bird

"That kind of thing shows a complete lack of respect for the Australian jersey and what you're representing.

"A few years ago when NSW produced those hand grenade celebrations in Origin, Queensland had a huge whinge and I supported them.

"But this effort by the Maroons, tops that easily. They're just bloody smart a---s ... and you can print that in the paper.

"But what the Queenslanders seem to forget is that the tide, it'll turn - and it's a bloody quick fall from the penthouse to the s---house."

Arriving at Sydney Airport yesterday, Gallen confirmed the Maroons had sung their Origin victory song on the Dairy Farmers Stadium field.

"I was one of the last blokes into the huddle so it took me about five seconds to work out what was going on," Gallen said. "I'm not sure who started but I don't think they meant anything by it.

"I guess they are just used to singing it. We (NSW) did notice it and mentioned it ... but I certainly didn't sing it, no."

Fellow Blues great Benny Elias was another surprised by the outburst.

"I was watching the game with my son and thought they must've changed the Australian team song," Elias said last night. "If what the Queenslanders sang is now considered part of Kangaroos celebrations, great. If not, it's very, very disappointing."

While Australia remains No.1 in the international league ratings, there is no doubting an unspoken rift has long existed between NSW and Queensland players.

Skipper Cameron Smith said that he hoped Australia's Townsville Test squad would be largely retained for next year's World Cup, although the likes of Justin Hodges, Sam Thaiday, Ben Hannant, Luke Lewis and Anthony Watmough missed this Test due to injury.