If you can’t trust the official Twitter account of the New South Wales Rugby League for news on the State of Origin side, then who can you trust?
@NSWRL tweeted the following yesterday afternoon: “NSW VB Blues Coach Laurie Daley has just announced John Sutton as Kurt Gidley’s replacement. #uptheblues #Origin”
The only problem was that Daley had done no such thing.
A short while later the NSWRL released a statement.
“The NSWRL would like to apologise for a miscommunication that incorrectly named John Sutton as the 17th man for the NSW VB Blues,” it said.
Fair enough. It could happen to any of us.
“Members of the media team read news reports that John had been selected and, with the need to be timely on social media, tweeted the incorrect information,” the statement continued.
Official Twitter accounts have come to be seen as an extension of the PR team involved with the side.
News tweeted from official accounts is followed up by an e-mailed press release 99% of the time.
More often than not, it confirms the official press release word for word.
This time, it seems, the need to be “timely” outweighed actually relaying official information.
The tweet was deleted and replaced with the correct information but, in some quarters, the damage had already been done.
“Once again, we would like to apologise to John and his family, NSW VB Blues fans, and South Sydney fans for our error,” the release went onto say.
It was a fitting end to what, in itself, was a bizarre situation.
Seven days out from the first game of the State of Origin series and the coach calls for what was being dubbed a “train off” for the 17th spot in the side.
It was hardly a fair way to ease a debutant into their first camp.
Daley had one training session to see how both players slotted into the environment.
How much would you really learn and was it worth the expense of potentially shattering the confidence of the man who was told to pack his things and go at the end of the day?
Reynolds was the last man standing, while Sutton now has to try and regather his thoughts ahead of the Rabbitohs’ clash with the Knights tomorrow night.
The five-eighth has been in career best form, but with Daley clearly trying to fill the sizeable shoes of utility Kurt Gidley, he was always going to finish second best to the smaller man from the Bulldogs.
Sutton could cover the halves and the back row, while Reynolds is cover for most of the back line and hooker.
Case closed.
It was as clear from the outset as it was after the train off.
At least now we can concentrate on the more important things ahead of the series opener in Sydney on Wednesday night.
Queensland are the underdogs right?
Zaccaaa
Guest
Wanted Sutton in but either one I think they're goen to give it their all
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
What an embarrassing situation for both parties
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
What an embarrassing situation for both parties
Barge Arse
Guest
If only silvertail could spell .... perhaps he got access to the computer while his parents were out
Silvertail
Guest
Get over ya self , ya don't bag clubs just individuals , well I tell ya something wabbit 42 , Manly will win a GF again , there will never ever be a 42 year drought , nor a wooden spoon , and yes I will bag soufs cause there crap , they've been crap for 42 years that's just fact , no sugar coating here girlfriend
Silvertail
Guest
Wabbit42 let go bud , it's late , you don't understand cause all your life you've barracked for the loser , do us all a favour , hava becks and a good lye down , tommorow you can grab nanas beta player and watch reruns of wabbit prems in black and white
rabbits72
Guest
i don know why you choose to bag Souths,but there you go,i have never ever bagged a club on any site without someone first bagging Souths. PS. i hope Manly extend Tooveys contract,because you will never ever win under him,the man is a thug.
rabbits72
Guest
are just trying to be funny for the sake of it or are you trying to say something inteligent Mushi,if its latter you are going to have to try a little harder because you failed in the first instance.
Silvertail
Guest
Can't help ya , you support a loser side that hasn't won jack for 42 years , and you need me to explain to you why NSW can't win , start with the coach and then the players and throw in these pathetic refs , simple isn't it ,,,, a bit like soufs ,,, simple losers
rabbits72
Guest
all you did there is repeat your first remark.go for something original.who picked those players ?
Silvertail
Guest
72 aie , ya should be wabbits 42 , like I said bozo is responsible , his forward passes drop balls and penalties have cost NSW , not the pathetic effort displayed by the NSW players , they've been a joke for 7 years , could be worse , they could be a 42 year joke aie
rabbits72
Guest
seriously?NSW is down 7-0 and there is only one common denominator.Bozo the clown rules the circus and that is why people are losing interest in SOO.and then you got people like you who get in touch with their feminine side everytime something is said about it.i hope when we lose this series,and i do mean lose, people will realise who is responsible. asa far as Sutton is concerned,he was set up.
Silvertail
Guest
So when was the last time you won a GF ??? We're you born ? Ha ha ha
Think Outside The Square
Guest
Could buhrers selection have been a contract top up. No salery cap on soo
Mango Jack
Guest
I'm happy with J Morris in the centres. He did a pretty good job of holding Inglis last year, and if he can do that again, he's earned his spot. Idris is a great attacking weapon when he's on his game, but still a liability in defence at this level against the most lethal attacking player around.
Clem
Guest
No one said its Daley's fault for not winning a premiership for so long... Typical comments all so easily distracted from the key points. I suppose you should expect that from the 'insular peninsula' no objective views just death ride Souths, how original from 'TheBronx' by the sea...
Willz
Guest
Yes, this team might just have a chance, the current team selected will help make it consecutive 8 for QLD Maroons!
angry bird
Guest
Good job willz, Swap idris for Jennings and I am with you all the way.
Bearfax
Guest
Not bad Willz. That team might even have a chance of beating QLD. I doubt the team they have selected will.
blackcavier&broncos
Guest
Turbo Or selected before the season started..