http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27270320-5018993,00.html
eau Scott expecting tough encounter with Greg Inglis despite race row
By Andrew Webster
June 15, 2010
Andrew Johns was right: Beau Scott must shut down Greg Inglis in Origin II Wednesday night. If only he had delivered it another way.
Speaking for the first time since the racism furore that has engulfed the NSW camp, Scott said he didn't care what effect Johns' remarks have had on Inglis and whether it has made his assignment -- on debut -- any harder.
"I'm expecting a tough encounter regardless of what has happened," Scott said.
"I'm not sure, to tell you the truth, how (Inglis) will react. I don't know him personally. I don't know how he'd react to that sort of controversy.
"(But) I feel like I'm ready for it. Anything he throws at us, we'll be ready for it. I haven't got much to say on what's happened in the camp -- but I'll be pumped up regardless of what's happened. It's hard not to be."
Johns had allegedly told Scott during a drinking session last Wednesday night: "Shut the black **** down."
The line prompted NSW winger Timana Tahu to storm out, Johns to quit in shame and has raised the possibility of Inglis completely tearing Origin II apart. Or struggling with the emotion of it all.
Either way, Scott didn't need Inglis to be handed the added motivation.
Indeed, Inglis provided some needle as news of Johns' racist sledge filtered through, when he said this of Scott and Tahu's replacement, Joel Monaghan: "You can find a man out pretty quick in their first game of Origin. It is a different stage and it is a big arena."
Scott was unaware of the comment Monday, but said he was under no illusion about the task at hand.
"I haven't heard anything to tell you the truth," he said. "He's world class. He's one of the best. Credit where credit is due. He's very gifted and pretty tough to handle, it will be a good challenge."
The confidence Scott can take on to that stage is how he has played against Inglis in their past two encounters at club level, when Dragons coach Wayne Bennett has shifted Scott to the right edge because of his renowned toughness in defence.
When the centres clashed in round four, the Storm triumphed but Scott made more metres, tackle breaks and offloads than the Kangaroos three-quarter. Same thing in round 21 last season.
"Yeah, a bit of experience helps," Scott said.
"Every occasion is different. It's what you do on the night that counts."
The problem for Scott is that when Inglis decides to steps up in a headline match, he's usually the one grabbing the headlines.
Inglis can attract criticism for sleepy performances during the grind of the season, yet the greater the occasion, the more that massive chest puffs out and the right-hand fend starts brushing aside defenders like they are fruit flies.
Adversity often steels his resolve, although those close to him are concerned how the past few drama-fuelled days will affect him.
Aside from Johns' racist remarks, Inglis has this week been dealing with the sudden death of his 30-year-old cousin Michael Dungay. He was given special permission by coach Mal Meninga to leave the squad on Thursday following the death.
That said, he came up with the money plays in the Storm's grand final win over the Eels last year with an assault charge relating to an incident involving girlfriend Sally Robinson.
A week later, he faced court over the incident before flying out for the Four Nations tour of England and France . . . and then mesmerised the crowds whenever he touched the ball. The charges were dropped.
Scott doesn't need reminding. "Well, he's played in plenty of them," he deadpanned. "And played some pretty good football in them, too."
