Wests Tigers’ Josh Reynolds and Russell Packer walked out on win over Manly
Two of Wests Tigers’ highest paid players abandoned their side at halftime during the epic win over Manly.
Wests Tigers staged the comeback of the year to beat Manly on Saturday night after being abandoned by their two highest-paid players at halftime.
Five-eighth Josh Reynolds and prop Russell Packer both walked out of Brookvale Oval with their team trailing 20-12 at the break.
In an incident that will infuriate fans at the under-performing club, Reynolds, on $850,000-a-year, and Packer, on $750,000, left the players dugout at halftime and headed straight to their cars.
Furious club legend Steve Roach questioned whether coach Michael Maguire would want to pick them in future.
“I can’t believe it,” Roach said. “It shows no respect for your teammates and a lack of respect for the jersey. When you’re in a squad and not playing, you still turn up. You can’t just give up and go home.
“I know how hard Madge is – he might not want to pick them again.”
The players’ pathetic excuse to Maguire on Sunday was that they were feeling cold.
Injured utility Michael Chee Kam also left the venue.
Trailing 32-18 with 12 minutes to go, the Tigers scored three late tries to grab a stunning win which presumably the absent players listened to on their car radios.
Their disappearance caught Maguire by surprise when first contacted on Sunday.
In the excitement of a desperately needed victory, Maguire had no idea they had left.
It was only when The Australian sent him a photo from Fox Sports cameras in the Wests Tigers dressing room at full-time that he realised they had gone home. He then rang the two players to find out why.
“Look there’s no hard and fast rule they have to be at games,” he said. “Russ was our 19th man and Josh came to be around the boys. However I understand from a perception point of view what you’re thinking. They didn’t really give me a reason – they just said they were cold and wanted to go home.”
Other players outside the Wests Tigers starting 17 were in the dressing sheds at full-time to celebrate the remarkable victory.
The attitude of Packer and Reynolds says a lot about the Wests Tigers culture.
A club that wants to axe a legend like Benji Marshall who busts his backside for the team each week yet allows their highest paid stars to walk out during a game.
And a soft playing group claiming to be “walking on eggshells” from the tough demands of Maguire and his coaching staff.
The Australian contacted player agent George Mimis, who looks after both Packer and Reynolds. He in turn spoke to the players.
“I’ve spoken to Josh and Russell and they have nothing to say,” Mimis said. “Neither of them have broken any club rules.”
Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis says the players will be asked for an explanation.
“I can understand there is a perception that it’s not a good lock,” he said, “I wouldn’t disagree with that. The boys will be asked why and I’ll be interested to hear their responses. In terms of perception we’d like to present ourselves as a unified club.
“That involves players remaining there and cheering the team on for 80 minutes.”
The Daily Telegraph
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