South Sydney forward Dave Taylor said passion was behind his one-fingered salute at the State of Origin decider which landed him in the bad books with disappointed Queensland officials.
Taylor, dropped from Wednesday night’s series decider, was sitting in an area of the stands reserved for Queensland players when he was caught delivering “the bird” just before the final siren sounded when the Maroons were all but assured the 21-20 win.
The giant forward obviously had not had time to read an e-mail from disappointed Queensland Rugby League boss Rob Moore before being descended upon by journalists at Sydney Airport on Thursday.
“It was just in the moment. I think I was just cheering and the bird come out,” said Taylor, unaware his gesture had triggered such a storm.
“It wasn’t directed at anyone. I was just hyped up and very thrilled.
“I don’t know why it’s such a big deal … I was just caught up in the moment and very passionate.”
A few hours later however Taylor issued a formal apology through his NRL club South Sydney.
“I apologise for my actions last night. I did not mean to offend anyone,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
“Again, I apologise for my actions and any offence it may have caused to my teammates and coaches, the QRL, the Rabbitohs and supporters of rugby league.”
Pictures of Taylor’s gesture were plastered across social networking sites hours after Queensland’s pulsating one-point win to clinch a seventh straight Origin series.
An unimpressed Moore sent Taylor a sternly-worded e-mail on Thursday telling him such behaviour was unacceptable.
“We don’t condone this type of behaviour,” Moore told AAP.
“We’re very disappointed in Dave’s actions.
“As coach Mal Meninga and his staff have worked hard to instill the highest of team values and one of those is having the utmost respect for the opposition.
“This behaviour is out of character for players who have been involved in our Origin program”.
The incident will no doubt take some of the gloss off Queensland’s dramatic win in Petero Civoniceva’s 33rd and final game for the Maroons.
Taylor had a rollercoaster Origin series before his latest controversy.
After playing in game one in Melbourne he reportedly fell out of bed and cut his head open before the second game in Sydney before being dropped for the series decider.
Stanley Bridge
Guest
The main concern I have is that this fool doesn't know why what he did was offensive. His ignorance is galling to say the least. It's not just his below average Origin on field performance that let's this fool down.
soapit
Guest
its a direct quote from taylor. qlders have always crapped on about passion (as well as blaming the sydney media for everything along the way), so no, nothings changed this week
Roarsome
Guest
Passion. QLDers have no passion! Aren't we smug and complacent with victory? Oh, that was last week's headlines. Now we have too much passion it would seem. I guess the Sydney press are just looking for something to write about the result. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Lovey
Guest
Does anyone remember Benny Elias giving the finger to the Brisbane crowd after a victory all those years ago? He snubbed the ceremony as well, and I understand Gallen refused to speak as well. Mind you, it would be difficult with everyone booing you. It has gone past good-natured now, and crowds should be warned against too much.
soapit
Guest
hopefully they took the time to explain to him why its a bit of a big deal while they forced him to apologise but i think we can move on with our lives now.
Will Sinclair
Guest
Passion? You know, terrorists are passionate about what they do too. Doesn't make it right. (RIP Dave Gallop. Gone but never forgotten.)