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ANGRY former players and officials last night lashed out at Anthony Mundine's latest claim that New South Wales is a racist rugby league state. Mundine revealed he was advising young Aboriginal players to move to Queensland for a chance to play representative football and avoid becoming victims of racism in NSW.
The Mouth's extraordinary attack on the game that made him a star comes just a week after Souths winger Nathan Merritt said he believed his Aboriginal heritage may have cost him a place in the City team to play Country. "I've told a lot of young Aboriginal boys to go to Queensland to play ... they'll give 'em a run up there," Mundine said. "A black player would have to do three or four times more than any other bloke to be a chance in NSW. "Politics and racism are part of the scene in rugby league. That's why I got out."
His comments drew strong protests with former NSW and Australia captain Brad Fittler saying: "It is a quite ridiculous and an unnecessary comment. His heart might be in the right place but his comments do more bad than good."
Mundine's argument has gaping holes in it (to no-one's surprise) given his nephew Matthew has captained the NSW under-16s team for past two years.
Not even ARL indigenous development manager and former Dragons teammate Ricky Walford could support Mundine last night. "I haven't come across any kid who has gone to Queensland for a better go," Walford said. "That isn't the case. We create opportunities for everyone."
Thirteen Aboriginal players have represented NSW in Origin - Mundine, Walford, Laurie Daley, Phil Duke, Steve Ella, John Ferguson, Cliff Lyons, Graham Lyons, Ken Nagas, David Peachey, Craig Salvatori, John Simon and Timana Tahu.
Salvatori said racism in the NRL was dead. "If Choc wants to be a role model, he should be sending out a better message to the kids than that," Salvatori said. "He's shot from the hip and hasn't thought too much about what he said. Racism in rugby league is a thing of the past. Greg Inglis will play for Australia for the next 10 years."
Former NSW prop Glenn Lazarus joined the chorus of unrest over Mundine's comments. "I don't know why he'd say that. Every now and then he has people scratching their heads," Lazarus said. "If you're good enough, you get in. Race or skin colour don't come into it."
NSWRL chief executive Geoff Carr said he would be prepared to meet with Mundine to discuss his concerns. "I signed 'Choc' at St George when he was a 15-year-old," Carr said. "The club had a culture that helped his development. If he has an issue, he hasn't spoken to me about it. I would be happy to talk to him about his views."
NRL chief executive David Gallop added: "It's just not correct. I'm sure selectors would be happy to sit down with 'Choc' if his concern is genuine."
Daley would not be drawn into the debate, simply saying: "It would be silly to even comment on that."
ANGRY former players and officials last night lashed out at Anthony Mundine's latest claim that New South Wales is a racist rugby league state. Mundine revealed he was advising young Aboriginal players to move to Queensland for a chance to play representative football and avoid becoming victims of racism in NSW.
The Mouth's extraordinary attack on the game that made him a star comes just a week after Souths winger Nathan Merritt said he believed his Aboriginal heritage may have cost him a place in the City team to play Country. "I've told a lot of young Aboriginal boys to go to Queensland to play ... they'll give 'em a run up there," Mundine said. "A black player would have to do three or four times more than any other bloke to be a chance in NSW. "Politics and racism are part of the scene in rugby league. That's why I got out."
His comments drew strong protests with former NSW and Australia captain Brad Fittler saying: "It is a quite ridiculous and an unnecessary comment. His heart might be in the right place but his comments do more bad than good."
Mundine's argument has gaping holes in it (to no-one's surprise) given his nephew Matthew has captained the NSW under-16s team for past two years.
Not even ARL indigenous development manager and former Dragons teammate Ricky Walford could support Mundine last night. "I haven't come across any kid who has gone to Queensland for a better go," Walford said. "That isn't the case. We create opportunities for everyone."
Thirteen Aboriginal players have represented NSW in Origin - Mundine, Walford, Laurie Daley, Phil Duke, Steve Ella, John Ferguson, Cliff Lyons, Graham Lyons, Ken Nagas, David Peachey, Craig Salvatori, John Simon and Timana Tahu.
Salvatori said racism in the NRL was dead. "If Choc wants to be a role model, he should be sending out a better message to the kids than that," Salvatori said. "He's shot from the hip and hasn't thought too much about what he said. Racism in rugby league is a thing of the past. Greg Inglis will play for Australia for the next 10 years."
Former NSW prop Glenn Lazarus joined the chorus of unrest over Mundine's comments. "I don't know why he'd say that. Every now and then he has people scratching their heads," Lazarus said. "If you're good enough, you get in. Race or skin colour don't come into it."
NSWRL chief executive Geoff Carr said he would be prepared to meet with Mundine to discuss his concerns. "I signed 'Choc' at St George when he was a 15-year-old," Carr said. "The club had a culture that helped his development. If he has an issue, he hasn't spoken to me about it. I would be happy to talk to him about his views."
NRL chief executive David Gallop added: "It's just not correct. I'm sure selectors would be happy to sit down with 'Choc' if his concern is genuine."
Daley would not be drawn into the debate, simply saying: "It would be silly to even comment on that."
