“It was a bit like losing your virginity – it wasn’t very nice but we got the job done.” That was Sam Thaiday, summing up his side’s 6-4 win over NSW at ANZ Stadium in Game 1 of the 2016 Origin series.
Usually, when Origin is compared to sex, it is in a positive manner, but Sam – who is no Origin virgin, having played 26 games in Maroon – let the four million or so watching across Australia know just how he felt about the sloppy performance.
Since then, much of the online discussion turned to Thaiday’s post-Origin quip – at least except for on NRL.com. NRL.com was down for the hours following the game, apparently having crashed due to all the extra Origin attention. It was finally back up at 1am Sydney time, though still running at dial-up speeds.
The NRL.com website returned to full functionality around 1am Sydney time. Image: Daniel Wighton
We’re sure there’s a quip in there about losing your virginity and the internet crashing just afterwards – although we are far too high brow to make that quip here.
More Origin Game 1:
» State of Origin Game 1 full time: Queensland hold on to win
» All the action in our live blog
» Game 1 in images
» WATCH: Josh Morris’ nightmare penalty tap
It’s not the first time Thaiday has used a virginity comparison to sum up feelings on the field, telling Brad Fittler earlier in the year that going so close to scoring a try without sealing the deal felt “it was like almost losing your virginity. It was so close but I just didn’t get there”.
“It doesn’t count”.
Depending on which site you visited after the game, the comment either “summed up Queensland’s fumbling, grinding win“, or it was the “most tasteless sport thing ever“. The UK’s Daily Mail called it “funny” while Sydney’s Daily Telegraph called it “lewd” and “bizarre“.
Fringe politicians like Family First spokesman Phil Jobe, looking for a little oxygen in election season, was apparently outraged – saying that Thaiday’s comments were “wild and crude” and that he was “shocked” because Thaiday is a “family man”.
Image: Fox.
There was also plenty of action on social media.
Some compared Thaiday with Queensland Origin superstar and all round legend Johnathan Thurston, who gave a shootout to the troubled north-Queensland Indigenous community of Arakun, telling kids to stay in school.
The internet is never to short of people getting outraged over anything and everything, so we’re pretty sure Sam won’t lose any sleep over it.
Mangrove Jack
Guest
Thaiday you rock!!
sore teeth
Guest
Thought I'd watch a bit of footy as I hav'nt watched the game since they started handing the ball to the enemy after six and woosed out in the scrums Bugger me dead,how'd junky johns get his job,is this a reward of some kind for being a druggy,dont get it Why dont they tackle properly anymore Why get penalized for shoulder tackle Why kick the ball every time they get near their try line Whats the deal with these scrums,why dont they push anymore,rugby still does Why do refs call players by first name,just weird Video refs, why do they get it wrong,why are they even there. Its turning worse than soccer. I wont be watching another game,way to boring
nerval
Guest
"I like league but calling that game great is like calling a pig with lipstick pretty." Except that nobody that I know has called that game "great." Indeed, in the commentary box, Gus Gould couldn't wait to tell all and sundry just how "dour" the game was. Just like he did during the Australia v NZ Test match a couple of weeks ago. And he was right. Twice.
Ken Cathpole's Other Leg
Guest
There are those who call rugby union 'yawnion' - Well last night's origin was an utter sleeping pill. That's 80 minutes I'll never get back. Btw, where is the offside line, and when is offside penalised? Qld at least once had every player a metre in front of try line in defence. A 2 point penalty at that point may have resulted in a different sort of sleeping pill. I like league but calling that game great is like calling a pig with lipstick pretty.