Inglis racial slur is unacceptable
* By Andrew Webster, David Riccio and Peter Badel
* From: The Sunday Telegraph
* June 13, 2010 12:01AM
ANDREW Johns last night quit the NSW Origin team after he admitted a racist sledge towards Queensland superstar Greg Inglis was behind Blues winger Timana Tahu walking out of the side.
After one of Origin's most dramatic days - with NSW team management at first trying to cover up the scandal - Johns said he had no choice but to resign as assistant coach after it emerged he had sledged Tahu's long-time friend at a bonding session at a Kingscliff hotel on Wednesday night.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Johns told Blues centre Beau Scott: "You must shut that black c... down."
A repentant Johns last night said: "Two nights ago, while trying to talk up the match, I made a disparaging comment about a member of the other team and in the process referred to the colour of his skin.
"I should have thought more about what I was saying about a player I have always admired and respected. I hope to speak with Greg soon to explain what happened.
"It is something I deeply regret and I will do all I can to repair my friendships with both Greg and Timana and to regain the respect of those I have let down."
Inglis last night branded the sledge as "personal" and the sorry episode sets up a fiery Origin II at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
"Me and T knew each other way back, when I was like 15, so it's just a shock to me that came out," Inglis said. "If that's the way it was, then it will probably be personal."
Tahu stewed over Johns' comments for two days until he told coach Craig Bellamy at lunchtime on Friday he was leaving.Parramatta chief executive Paul Osborne spent yesterday consoling Tahu, who spoke to Johns late yesterday but will not return to camp.
"Joey said something that he thought was just some banter amongst the boys that I took offence to," Tahu said. "It is something I feel strongly about. To sacrifice my NSW Origin jumper and to give up the chance of bringing the trophy back to NSW is obviously something I gave a lot of thought to. But I felt I had to make a statement that this sort of behaviour in any environment is unacceptable and as a senior player I had to show that.
"The fact that it came from someone on the coaching staff that is highly respected in the game, and has such influence in rugby league, and someone I have known for a long time, made it more hurtful. We had a good talk over the phone today and we were able to explain each other's feelings."
It is understood that Tahu has been simmering over Johns' alleged racism for years, and those close to him said he'd "had enough" when he decided to walk out.
It was claimed Tahu told relatives yesterday: "He [Johns] has been using this term since I was 18. I can no longer look him in the eye."
NSW team management did their best to cover up the story yesterday and even told officials in Sydney that Tahu had left because of a hamstring complaint.
Team sources had initially suggested that Tahu had been over-sensitive and that Johns had only referred to himself as "white trash", before it emerged later in the day that he had sledged Inglis.
"NSW team management were dealing with a number of issues yesterday and were trying to get the full set of facts," NSWRL boss Geoff Carr said. "Joey gave us a full confession but didn't mention what he said."
Revelations about Johns' comments enraged the Queenslanders.
Asked if Aboriginal players feel there are racist elements within NSW, former Maroons star Tony Currie said: "My God, there is a feeling about that, it's not just well known, it's not just a feeling with the Koori down south, it's a fact.
"Our black magic does not fit in with the philosophy of the NSW hierarchy. Johns should have been more mindful. I can't believe a person of his status would say that. I applaud Timana for taking a stand and it is NSW's loss."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/inglis-racial-slur-is-unacceptable/story-e6frexv9-1225878945387