Gorden Tallis and Braith Anasta have slammed the accusations that the NRL is racist following feedback from controversial agent Khoder Nassar.
Nassar, who represents former league stars Sonny Bill Williams and Anthony Mundine, says racism within the sport pressured these gamers out of the sport and is anxious it may occur to Souths fullback Latrell Mitchell.
Mitchell’s title has been within the headlines after a tumultuous week for him and Souths, which included the star being labelled a “cancer” in leaked textual content messages from Rod Churchill, son of Rabbitohs legend Clive.
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It has triggered Mitchell’s advisor Matt Rose to contact the NRL and lift considerations in regards to the fullback’s welfare.
Speaking to the SMH, Nassar known as rugby league “a racist game” and that’s so “blatant it’s appalling”, nevertheless Anasta and Tallis had been extraordinarily essential of the feedback.
“It’s hard to accept why someone like this would make these comments,” Anasta mentioned.
“From my point of view, the time, the effort, the money that the NRL put into Polynesian, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, European players.
“Listen, racism exists in society but our game of rugby league goes above and beyond and prioritises every player at every club and I know that as a fact.
“I’ve got mates, Willie Tonga, Reni Maitua, Willie Mason who travel up to NQ and Broken Hill to see all the kids and make sure that they are looked after and get to see their heroes.
“To see these comments made by that person about our game I feel is insulting, not only as people who work within the game but for the fans, the NRL, for the broadcasters like us at Fox League and the time and effort we put into the Clontarf Foundation and making sure we look after and give these kids opportunities.
“I just couldn’t comprehend these comments and I think they are wrong… They are way out of line.”
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“Well said Braith, because it is coming from a guy that hasn’t really been involved with our game,” Tallis mentioned on Nassar’s feedback.
“They are serious allegations but I take them with a grain of salt because it hasn’t come from someone within our game that has played.
“I think what the game does as a whole is more than most communities and sports do around the world.
“I’m proud to say that without rugby league, a lot of the communities, a lot of the indigenous stars and all my mates and looking at the areas we come from, we wouldn’t have a game and have the life that we have. Rugby league has saved a lot of us.”
The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio referenced a narrative of Sharks star Nicho Hynes and his platform within the recreation as a proud indigenous man, including he believes rugby league is within the “most inclusive period in the game’s history.”
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“I’ve sat opposite Nicho Hynes in an interview and seen tears well in his eyes when he speaks about the power of what the game has given him to be able to promote and be a proud indigenous game and speak about his life and how he wants to open up doors for young indigenous players. That’s a platform Nicho may not get without the game,” Riccio mentioned.
“If Latrell is considering walking away from the game, he needs to think about how celebrated and time-honoured the (indigenous) greats of the game are including Johnathan Thurston, Preston Campbell, Arthur Beetson and Laurie Daley.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
