Sam Thaiday gives lewd interview after first State of Origin match
MAROON Sam Thaiday has responded to criticism of his Origin victory speech in which he described the win as “like losing your virginity”.
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MAROONS player Sam Thaiday defended himself after his live victory speech was labelled crude and tasteless.
Thaiday was speaking to Nine’s Brad Fitler moments after Queensland scored a 6-4 victory when he described the win as “Like losing your virginity — it wasn’t nice but we got the job done.”
It quickly drew widespread condemnation.
But when interviewed by Sunrise reporter Ashlea Brown at Sydney Aiport as he prepared to fly home with his teammates, Thaiday had a simple response.
‘You can’t make everyone happy,” he said.
Thaiday was then asked “Aren’t you a family man”, to which he replied: “‘Yes, I am a family man. I’m a human being too.’
Among those to slam Thaiday was NSW Family First spokesman Phil Jobe who described the veteran Broncos forward’s comments, as “wild and crude”.
“I’m shocked that Mr Thaiday would bring sex into the discussion over a game of rugby league, especially because he is a family man,” he said.
“I think his choice of words were not only offensive but in bad taste. To call them wild and crude is not overstating the point.”
Social media quickly went into overdrive, with Liz d’Arbon summing up the situation saying: “Perhaps for the locker room chit chat — not for the big microphone and TV.”
Another told Thaiday online: “You’re talking to kids as well.”
The unfortunate comments were in stark contrast to those of star No. 6 Johnathan Thurston, who used his post-match speech to make a shout-out to the troubled community of Aurukun.
It followed another night in which both men’s side again broke records and hearts on NSW soil.
For while the Blues had won six of eight series openers here at Sydney Olympic Park, it was Queensland who bashed their way to a 6-4 win with Maroons skipper Cameron Smith becoming the most capped Origin player in the process.
And yes, NSW were brave.
Their loss controversial, too, with all water cooler talk today sure to be dominated by that Josh Morris ‘‘no try’’ which literally left NSW an inch from victory.
It certainly started well enough.
A crowd of 80,251 fans — from PM Malcolm Turnbull through to potential NSW saviour and former NFL convert Jarryd Hayne — turning ANZ Stadium into a heaving, pulsating cauldron where everything was coloured azure.
Former greats like Steve Mortimer were urging the home team on the big screen and Blocker inciting passion from the crowd.
And just in case anyone was still in doubt, organisers then unfurled a giant blue banner stretching from the top tiers of the Blatchy’s Blues army right down to the fence proclaiming how ‘‘we bleed blue’’.
And, not too long after, the entire Maroons forward pack would do their level best to see if that said statement was actually true. For it was that sort of night. No more than two points separating both teams over 80 minutes.
A slobberknocker which started from the kick-off when Myles, chasing downfield and, seemingly, for kicks, decided to push Blues skipper Paul Gallen arse over apex.
Blake Ferguson shoving Thurston. Dave Klemmer sending stars about Michael Morgan.
And as for the NRL Bunker ... well, it did its best to upset an entire State after not only denying Josh Morris a try with 66 minutes gone, but minutes later also overturning a scrum feed for the Blues.
First half? Absolute cracker.
One which, after Thurston kicked a penalty early, then saw the Blues lead after James Maloney passed wide to Boyd Cordner. But then Queensland hit back.
Cooper Cronk starting a right shift that would see Dane Gagai score in the corner. At that stage, it was enough to have Queensland led 6-4 at the break. By the finish, it would still be the only difference.
WHAT YOU SAID:
Comments supporting ...
“Sam conveyed just so much in so few words”: Roger
“He was just making a crack — and it was pretty damn funny”: Andy
“I’ve heard a lot worse on QI on the ABC and that’s shown at an earlier timeslot”: Rick
“Oh no, run for your lives. The politically correct cotton wool police are on the loose”: Dan
“Good to see a footy player with a sense of humour who speaks what he thinks”: David
Comments against ...
“I think he’s trying to be the NRL’s honey badger.......epic fail”: Andrew
“I thought our great game did not deserve comment of the brain-dead nature”: Tony
“I thought the game was trying to grow from that”: Neville
“He needs a new joke, he used that already at another game”: Rodney
“What else would you expect from the bloke? He’s got the mind of a five-year-old”: Matthew
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