If anyone was going to accuse NSW coach Laurie Daley of double standards, then it would be the day after he declared troubled Blues centre Michael Jennings a definite starter for the State of Origin decider in Brisbane.
After getting arrested and charged with offensive behaviour and hindering police over the weekend, the Sydney Roosters three-quarter will be stood down from his club’s match against Gold Coast on Sunday and fined $20,000 – half of which is suspended.
Representatives from both sides of the border were satisfied with the punishment on Tuesday and more than happy for the man-of-the-match from game two to take the field on July 8.
Axed from his state’s breakthrough series win last year after a wild night out in Kings Cross, Blues five-eighth Mitchell Pearce came out in support of his clubmate and believed Daley had made the right decision.
“I’m right behind Loz there,” Pearce said.
“I thought one week with Jenko was more than enough, as it’s come out he hasn’t done much wrong. He made a misjudgment drinking alcohol.
“But as far as the bigger picture I can’t wait to play with him next week.
“Hopefully he has another massive star performance for Origin because I’m more than sure he deserves to be there.”
Queensland centre Justin Hodges – who will play his final game in Maroons colours in the decider – admitted to being “kept honest” by his direct opposite in Melbourne but also welcomed the penalty on Jennings.
“Asked if he was happy Jennings was available for Origin III, Hodges said: “Very happy he’ll be there.”
Meanwhile, Blues skipper Paul Gallen revealed he had spoken to the 27-year-old Jennings in recent days regarding the indiscretion and described the drama as “a blip on the radar.”
“He left the (NSW) camp. He did everything well in camp and he was back preparing for a Roosters game (when the incident occurred),” Gallen told Sky Sports Radio.
“I’ve spoken to Jenko (Jennings) and I said to him myself it’s probably a mistake being out three days before a game and I think he understands that.
“It will just be a small blip on the radar and he’ll be fine.”
littleredrooster
Guest
Muzz, don't forget the ones in the stands too..
Jay C
Roar Guru
Yeah. Which makes him not innocent.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
He was out at 2:30am a couple of nights before a game. Broke team protocols. The Roosters have every right to fine and suspend him. Even if he is found not guilty in court.
Jay C
Roar Guru
He obviously isn't innocent though. If he was innocent there is no way the Roosters could fine and suspend him. His case will be based around how much money he has and why he should be allowed to mouth off at cops.
Muzz
Guest
That would be fair steven as long as you have the same view of the wife beaters and drunkets in your team.
steveng
Roar Rookie
As I've said it before and it makes it more obvious now, that Jennings is an irresponsible 27 yrs old person and he could have let the the Blues down, and he most certainly let his club down. This is all because he cannot handle his grog/tongue and perhaps he should not have any alcohol what's so ever. Even though it might be 'a storm in a tea cup' but these sorts of incidents really portray what sort of a person Jennings is like and that he has no respect for his many fans, both at SOO level and club level.
Paul
Roar Rookie
Police don't decide your guilty, nor do they hand down punishment, they provide the evidence to a court for them to decide. I'm pretty sure in this country you are innocent until proven otherwise. If Jennings was to plead guilty then that is an admission of guilt, case closed. Since he has stated he will be pleading not guilty, that is a claim of innocence, you get your day in court. Sounds to me like your having a whinge that Jennings will be in the team to run rings around Hodges again. As for Daley being the judge of how much grub is allowed I didn't realise he was Qld selector as well, cause theres plenty of grubs in that team. Oh and look what happens when there is a 10m rule enforced, NSW by 8 my friend.
Bribian
Guest
Is that all you got Paul?
Paul
Roar Rookie
Did we take our pills today Bails ?
Bails
Guest
You haven't got your ear close enough ...
catcat
Roar Rookie
we still haven't heard from the boom gate
Bails
Guest
Why would you need a string of articles to pose a question already asked here? I can see you were unwilling to answer the question itself ..... The justification of the punishment in missing Origin is saying that you don't deserve to play Representative league because you have bought the reputation of the game into disrepute. The punishment of missing a game is not punishment of the act itself, that punishment comes from the court, which Jennings will face. Jennings saying to Daley that he is innocent has nothing to do with it. Daley is saying the act of being dropped from a game is punishment of the act itself in which Jennings was charged, the action of being dropped from a game is only punishment for bringing the game into disrepute which is being charged by police, police don't charge people without justification, you have to prove your innocence in court as the police have already determined your guilt, you can say to a judge that you are not guilty, but you have to prove it, I don't know when Daley became a Judge of law? We know Daley is the judge as to how much grub is allowed in Origin and determining a no 10m rule, but now Daley is a judge of Australian law too? lol
Samtwocan
Guest
Perhaps we'll get another string of articles posing that exact question... I'm sure there's a little mileage left in this one yet .
Bails
Guest
As if Hodges is going to say otherwise and if that makes a difference?? More blues propaganda from the ROAR, the question you have to ask is, would Jennings be wearing an Australian jersey in 2 weeks time after being charged by the police?
Jay C
Roar Guru
Who cares. Didn't we have this story already? Or are we going to go through every player on both teams, and see how each of them feel about it specifically.