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Hand back your pay cheques
Article from:
By Dean Ritchie
June 15, 2007 12:00am
NSW five-eighth Braith Anasta and centre Jamie Lyon were last night told to hand back their pay cheques for under-performing in the series-deciding State of Origin match in Sydney.
As the fallout continued from Wednesday night's game two defeat, former Blues champion Ben Elias described the pair's performances as "embarrassing".
He said they were so ordinary they should consider returning their $12,500 match payments earned from the Telstra Stadium showdown.
Elias also called for the Blues selectors to bite the bullet and promote the Wests Tigers' ball-playing No. 9 Robbie Farah for Origin III at the expense of current NSW captain Danny Buderus.
"Braith Anasta and Jamie Lyon how could they accept their pay cheques?" Elias said. "It was embarrassing. Brent Kite and Danny Buderus. They didn't produce either.
"It's time for the captain (Buderus) to move on. Robbie Farah is the best player in the game. Farah worries opposition teams, Buderus doesn't.
"I couldn't believe Buderus gave up his Australian jumper last year. It was the beginning of the end for him in rep footy."
The Daily Telegraph yesterday interviewed some of the Blues' greatest players in a bid to discover why Queensland have won the past four State of Origin matches.
Most believe the Blues selectors have been left with major selection headaches leading up to the dead-rubber Origin III in Brisbane on July 4.
Lyon, who will play for Manly against Souths tonight at Brookvale Oval, fired back at Elias' comments.
"I haven't had much to do with him (Elias)," Lyon said.
"He's not someone I look up to. I won't be losing any sleep. It's annoying you don't want to hear that stuff being said. But what can you do? I've had other more important issues in my life."
Anasta was unavailable for comment yesterday after undergoing surgery on a fractured finger which will keep him out for between four to six weeks.
Cronulla's Greg Bird is a strong candidate to be Anasta's replacement in Brisbane.
Roosters club doctor John Orchard said Anasta broke his hand in the first half on Wednesday night and played on for the remainder of the match without pain-killing injections.
Former Blues powerhouse Steve Roach also called on selectors to make changes.
"I think they have to bite the bullet and look to the future have a new beginning," Roach said.
"They have to bring in Paul Gallen.
"I think there are a lot of players who may have played their last Origin game for NSW.
"I'm sick and tired of seeing centres get in to dummy-half all the time."
Article from:
By Dean Ritchie
June 15, 2007 12:00am
NSW five-eighth Braith Anasta and centre Jamie Lyon were last night told to hand back their pay cheques for under-performing in the series-deciding State of Origin match in Sydney.
As the fallout continued from Wednesday night's game two defeat, former Blues champion Ben Elias described the pair's performances as "embarrassing".
He said they were so ordinary they should consider returning their $12,500 match payments earned from the Telstra Stadium showdown.
Elias also called for the Blues selectors to bite the bullet and promote the Wests Tigers' ball-playing No. 9 Robbie Farah for Origin III at the expense of current NSW captain Danny Buderus.
"Braith Anasta and Jamie Lyon how could they accept their pay cheques?" Elias said. "It was embarrassing. Brent Kite and Danny Buderus. They didn't produce either.
"It's time for the captain (Buderus) to move on. Robbie Farah is the best player in the game. Farah worries opposition teams, Buderus doesn't.
"I couldn't believe Buderus gave up his Australian jumper last year. It was the beginning of the end for him in rep footy."
The Daily Telegraph yesterday interviewed some of the Blues' greatest players in a bid to discover why Queensland have won the past four State of Origin matches.
Most believe the Blues selectors have been left with major selection headaches leading up to the dead-rubber Origin III in Brisbane on July 4.
Lyon, who will play for Manly against Souths tonight at Brookvale Oval, fired back at Elias' comments.
"I haven't had much to do with him (Elias)," Lyon said.
"He's not someone I look up to. I won't be losing any sleep. It's annoying you don't want to hear that stuff being said. But what can you do? I've had other more important issues in my life."
Anasta was unavailable for comment yesterday after undergoing surgery on a fractured finger which will keep him out for between four to six weeks.
Cronulla's Greg Bird is a strong candidate to be Anasta's replacement in Brisbane.
Roosters club doctor John Orchard said Anasta broke his hand in the first half on Wednesday night and played on for the remainder of the match without pain-killing injections.
Former Blues powerhouse Steve Roach also called on selectors to make changes.
"I think they have to bite the bullet and look to the future have a new beginning," Roach said.
"They have to bring in Paul Gallen.
"I think there are a lot of players who may have played their last Origin game for NSW.
"I'm sick and tired of seeing centres get in to dummy-half all the time."
