Maroons filthy over Waterhouse’s dog act
By Wayne Heming, 16 Jul 2009
- Tagged:
- David Williams, Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston, Justin Hodges, Kurt Gidley, NRL, NSW Blues, Queensland Maroons, Rugby League, Sam Thaiday, State Of Origin, Steve Price, Trent Barrett, Trent Waterhouse
Man-of-the-series Greg Inglis and Justin Hodges launched a scathing attack on NSW backrower Trent Waterhouse and teammate Trent Barrett, describing the incident that floored Queensland prop Steve Price as a “dog act”.
NSW countered by claiming winger David Williams suffered a nasty facial injury after being kicked in the face by Queensland halfback Johnathan Thurston in the 33rd minute.
Thurston was charged after the game with making dangerous contact with the head and neck of an opponent using his foot, with the Blues camp concerned Williams had suffered a broken cheekbone.
Price and Brett White were squaring off when Waterhouse blindsided the veteran prop, who was taken from the field on the back of the medicab with his neck in a brace and blood coming from his nose and mouth.
The early medical update suggested he had no pins and needles and was heavily dazed.
“It was one of those dog acts,” said Hodges, furious that some of the NSW players were laughing while Price was being treated.
“If the game had gone a few more minutes there would have been a few more fights for sure.
“He hurt one of our brothers and we wanted to hurt one of theirs as well.
“It got a bit heated and when Pricey got hurt Barrett was laughing at him.”
Hodges said Price looked to be seriously hurt when Waterhouse came in.
“It was serious, the poor guy wasn’t moving and they came up and tried to lift him and jig him around,” Hodges said.
“It’s one of those things you don’t like to see anyone go through if it’s Queensland or New South Wales.
“I think those guys need to have a good look at themselves.
“Barrett was laughing and high-fiving and carrying on like a little kid.”
Inglis, who copped a swinging arm from Barrett in the second game in Sydney, backed Hodge’s claims after the fiery finish to the 28-14 loss, when Waterhouse was sent off for being third man in.
In the dying minutes rival forwards Sam Thaiday and Ben Creagh were sin binned for 10 minutes as the game threatened to erupt.
“It was a pretty cheap shot on Pricey,” said Inglis.
Hodges said Queensland were disappointed they couldn’t give their fans something extra to celebrate with a whitewash.
“We wanted to win 3-0, obviously we haven’t done it as a group and we’re disappointed but happy to have achieved four series’ in a row.
“Hopefully next year we can make it five.”
Blues captain Kurt Gidley, who played after pain killing injections to his rib region, questioned the wild behaviour of the Queenslanders.
“They were pretty fired up but Wolfman (David Williams) is sitting in there (dressing room) with a fully closed eye after a kick to the face and he kept his emotions in check.”
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July 16th 2009 @ 12:31pm
Richard Brockhurst said | July 16th 2009 @ 12:31pm | Report comment
What happened to Williams was accidental. Waterhouse is a gutless thug.
July 16th 2009 @ 12:36pm
JT said | July 16th 2009 @ 12:36pm | Report comment
Seeing the way Justin Hodges carried on about “Dog Act’s” in the post match interview, i’m suprised he didn’t mention David Williams vicous headbutt on poor old Jono thurstons kicking boot.
July 16th 2009 @ 6:08pm
paul said | July 16th 2009 @ 6:08pm | Report comment
I don’t know what incident nsw are talking about in regards to thurston kicking williams in the head. I saw the incident and there no way thurstons foot came in contact with williams head. He kicked at the ball which williams had already lost. At now point did the replays show thurston making contact with williams head so if they’ve seen footage that was hidden from the general public by channel 9 then lets see it.
July 17th 2009 @ 10:40am
Richard Brockhurst said | July 17th 2009 @ 10:40am | Report comment
Paul…The incident involving Thurston is a smoke screen to cover for waterhouse.
July 17th 2009 @ 3:29pm
Lewie said | July 17th 2009 @ 3:29pm | Report comment
so Williams’ black eye and cut lip were applied by the Channel 9 make-up artist?
July 20th 2009 @ 1:57pm
Richard Brockhurst said | July 20th 2009 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
Lewie…Williams definetly had a black eye but that doesn’t mean Thuston caused it. Paul says he studied the replay and he says there is no contact to the head. Williams did recieve a BIG vigors palm off from Inglis on that side of his face. It could have been caused by a head clash in a tackle—that was a very fast phisical game .
July 20th 2009 @ 2:06pm
Bill said | July 20th 2009 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
Paul – there is no doubt that Thurston kicked Williams in the head. The players around Williams sawit as did the officals, otherwise there would have been no penalty awarded after the try was given. It was a deliberate professional foul on a player scoring a try. There is no rule saying you can prevent a person scoring a try by going in feet first. Same applies to Billy Slater and his soccer style feet first slide tackles into opponents in the in-goal area.
July 20th 2009 @ 2:21pm
Jameswm said | July 20th 2009 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
I just found these extraordinary comments.
So what we’re hearing is that Waterhouse, who ran in and grabbed Price (video shows no hit), is worse than Thurston who:
1. kicked Williams in the head when trying to save a try; and
2. was a major part of the cowardly up-and-under-and-all-in, sending flying stiff arms and fists into an innocent Kurt Gidley?
I’ve lost respect for Thurston – he lost his cool at the end and was one of many of the Qld players who resembled wild rabies-laden dogs. The most laughable part was the following day when the semi-literate Lockyer tried to suggest the aim was aggressive but legal defence. Sure, and Martin Bryant’s innocent too, right?