‘Completely out of line’: Furious NRL nepotism claims go too far

Footy stars have fired back after ugly accusations were levelled at Eels coach Brad Arthur, as angry fans picked on his son Jake.

Plenty have rushed to Jake and Brad Arthur's defence.

Rugby league greats have hit out at criticism of Jake Arthur after the Eels star came under heavy fire following a shock loss to North Queensland on the weekend.

The Cowboys thrashed Parramatta 35-4 on Saturday night and some angry fans on social media questioned why coach Brad Arthur was playing his teenage son at five-eighth, after shifting in-form pivot Dylan Brown into the centres.

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The move was forced because of an injury crisis leaving the Eels short on outside backs.

But accusations of nepotism have been shut down by ex-footy stars, who say the barrage of hot takes about Arthur and Arthur junior have crossed the line.

Penrith premiership hero Martin Lang tweeted: “Jake Arthur is only 19 years of age and is a fine prospect. I’d like to see the CVs of those behind the nepotism accusations. Miserable, jealous individuals who want nothing more than to discredit the coach.”

Parramatta’s official Twitter account hit back at keyboard warriors on social media, saying “the Arthur joke is enough” and “it’s not funny”, before those tweets were later deleted.

Canberra legend Laurie Daley also defended the decision to shift Brown into the centres.

Jake Arthur has been unfairly targeted after the shock loss. Picture: NRL Photos

Good judges know Brad Arthur isn’t guilty of nepotism. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I don’t know about this nepotism stuff. That’s completely out of line,” Laurie Daley told the Big Sports Breakfast. “Look at the players injured, outside backs, Brown is a better option in the centres with Arthur at five-eighth with what they’ve got.

“It’s not nepotism, it’s who he thinks is going to do the best job.

“If you’ve got a player that’s been shifted for necessity, that’s what you do until you get troops back, every day of the week.

“Brown understand the position they’re in and he needs to help Jakob Arthur and other players in that team. They were just off, the Eels.”

Phil Rothfield of The Daily Telegraph also said the criticism of both coach and player was unfair.

“Brad Arthur didn’t pick his son for the game against Newcastle without taking it up with the leadership group, Clint Gutherson, Mitchell Moses, Junior Paulo. This move had the support of the players,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

“I spoke to Andrew Johns and he thinks Jakob is a terrific player. To blame a 19-year-old boy for a massacre in Darwin, when 17 players contributed to the loss, it’s unfair.

“If his name was Joe Blow we wouldn’t even be talking about him. Brad Arthur is struggling to pick 17, he’s got an injury crisis.”

Dylan Brown has been in red-hot form in the halves, but moved to centre because of an injury crisis. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Eels halfback Mitchell Moses spoke to Fox Sports before kick-off against the Cowboys and explained why drafting Arthur into the side was a smart move.

“Jakey calms us down a bit when things get erratic,” Moses said. “It kind of helps us in a way.

“Dyl is just a football player. He goes out there and plays footy — that’s what he is so good at.”