Inglis calls for end to Joey’s involvement
By David Beniuk, 24 Jun 2010
- Tagged:
- Andrew Johns, Greg Inglis, Indigenous Council, NRL, Rugby League, Timana Tahu
Timana Tahu’s meeting with the NRL’s Indigenous Council will take place amidst a call from Queensland superstar Greg Inglis for Andrew Johns’ involvement in rugby league to end.
The victim of the racial slur from Johns which caused Tahu to walk out of NSW’s State of Origin II camp, Inglis says there are no excuses for the former Test halfback.
Asked if Johns should continue to have a role in rugby league, Inglis told the Nine Network: “It’s definitely not a good attitude. I say no.
“There’s no excuses for racism in any sport, any code (or) any culture.”
Inglis has strongly backed the stand taken by Tahu, who will take the next step in his campaign to stamp out racism in rugby league with a meeting on Thursday with the William “Smiley” Johnstone-chaired Council.
“Some people are tucking their tails between their legs and running away from it, but you’ve got to take a stance and draw a line in the sand,” the Melbourne centre said.
“We’ve been copping it from the day our ancestors were born and it’s about time we stood up and I think Timana’s taking a stance right now.”
Tahu also has the blessing of one of the game’s multicultural icons, Hazem El Masri.
El Masri, the Muslim who came from war-torn Lebanon as a child and went on to become the game’s highest point-scorer, was reluctant to enter league’s racism discussion on Wednesday, but did back Tahu’s stance.
Asked if the game was moving forward despite the recent racism row, El Masri replied: “We are. Sometimes you have to nominate the problem and just stamp it out.
“I guess sometimes it’s good to do that and not beat around the bush so if there’s a problem let’s just point it out and sort it out and move on.
“As a human being we all make mistakes, it’s good sometimes just to put your hand up.
“This is pretty much the Australian culture, that you make a mistake, put your hand up, recognise your mistake, apologise and just move on.”
NRL chief executive David Gallop said he hoped Thursday’s meeting would be a step towards Tahu and Johns reconciling in a mediation session, the date of which is still to be set, with Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commissioner Mick Gooda.
On a day the Women in League group named Parramatta’s Nathan Hindmarsh as their “favourite son”, the focus remained more on race issues than the involvement of women in the game.
Dual international Wendell Sailor said he had come close to taking a similar stand to Tahu in both league and rugby union.
But he said the example of indigenous players like Steve Renouf and Ricky Walford had taught him to deal with it differently.
“You just thought ‘toughen up and get on with it’,” he said.
“If you’ve got this colour skin it’s going to happen.
“I’ve got that personality where I can gloss over it and get on with life.
“Some people, it breaks you down and with ‘T’ (Tahu) it’s obviously breaking him down a bit.”
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The Crowd Says (8) | Page 1 of Comments
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- Explore:
- Andrew Johns, Greg Inglis, Indigenous Council, NRL, Rugby League, Timana Tahu
June 24th 2010 @ 8:59am
Daniel said | June 24th 2010 @ 8:59am | Report comment
Wheres the forgiveness these days. Johns admitted he was wrong and has openly apologised. I think Inglis is looking for blood, and to say that Johns should be rubbed out of the game is just ridiculous.
Lets hold Inglis to the same principles, so as soon as he does something people deem abhorrent, lets cast him aside also…. oh hang on…..
June 24th 2010 @ 9:06am
JVGO said | June 24th 2010 @ 9:06am | Report comment
Agreed. What a hypocrite.
June 24th 2010 @ 12:25pm
clipper said | June 24th 2010 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
Yes, I agree what Inglis did last year was abhorrent, and I have no respect for him over it, but it does not make him a hypocrite. If he was commenting on Matty Johns disgusting and immoral acts in New Zealand, then he would be. But he is commenting on racism. I do think he is a bit harsh on calling for a total ban, I think Johns should be banned for six months in line with Bryden Klein who used Black C**t against his South African opponent in a Tennis match.
June 24th 2010 @ 9:33am
mjpt said | June 24th 2010 @ 9:33am | Report comment
whoa!! Inglis is unloading big time. I tend to agree with those that are sick of Johns screwing up and apoligising, how about you get it right first time and stop saying sorry or hiding behind ADD as an excuse. Poor form. No better time to put race relations front and centre for the NRL. They HAVE to get this sorted or players will leave and go play other codes- they now have an alternative whereas before they did not. Inglis is basically invoking this by saying what he is saying. Holding the game to ransom?? possibly, but looking after the environment and the players within that environment should take priority for the administration.
June 24th 2010 @ 12:45pm
Brett McKay said | June 24th 2010 @ 12:45pm | Report comment
I’m sure he’s unloading as much as he was just responding to a loaded Danny Weidler question…
June 25th 2010 @ 11:44am
mjpt said | June 25th 2010 @ 11:44am | Report comment
what was the question? and where is Weidler as far as position is concerned?
I am in NZ so do not now his paper and hence, his agenda. Cheers…
June 24th 2010 @ 4:33pm
Rodney Rude said | June 24th 2010 @ 4:33pm | Report comment
What did Craig Bellamy say to Mal Meninga ?
Your Inglis is appalling.
June 25th 2010 @ 9:29am
josh said | June 25th 2010 @ 9:29am | Report comment
That’s cool. But while we are at it life bans for players that assault females and also players that are complicit in systematic cheating. That’s you Inglis – now get lost.
How’s that glass house feel now.