THE gloves are off in the war of words between Paul Gallen and Gorden Tallis - with the NSW skipper yesterday issuing a public ultimatum to the former Queensland hard man.
"When Gordie sees you backstage he shakes your hand and talks to you like a mate."If he doesn't like me, just don't talk to me."As the fallout continues from Gallen's Origin I punch-up with Nate Myles - that landed Gallen a one-match ban- Gallen yesterday continued his challenge to the NRL not to be hypocritical and use the fight to promote Origin II.And asked if he expected retribution from Queensland when he heads to Brisbane, Gallen said: "Oh yeah, what do I do? I'm not not going to play?" But it's his simmering feud with the former Queensland firebrand that has everyone talking after Tallis did not hold back with his criticism of Gallen after last Wednesday's game.
It intensified yesterday when Gallen was conducting an interview on Triple M and had some comments played back to him in which Tallis labelled Gallen's attack on Myles a "cheap shot" because, he said, Myles had his hands by his side when Gallen threw the first punch.
Tallis also questioned why Gallen didn't retaliate immediately after he claimed he had his knee twisted by Myles - and Tallis then said Gallen had put his state before Cronulla after he pulled out of the club game against Souths leading up to Origin.
"Did (Myles) twist (Gallen's) knee? Mate, where is the evidence?" Tallis asked. "I didn't see it.
"Paul Gallen sat out the Monday night before Origin and he could have played.
"So he put the state in front of his club. So he doesn't really care about Cronulla, he's thinking, 'Well, I'll miss a game anyway'."
Told Gallen was injured, Tallis said: "Yeah, he said he could have played 60 minutes."
After listening to Tallis's comments from last week, Gallen then responded: "I never said I could have played 60 minutes. I was ruled out by three different physios.
"It's the same when Gordie sees you backstage and he shakes your hand and talks to you like a mate. If he doesn't like me, just don't talk to me."
Gallen was asked why he didn't retaliate after the leg twist happened.
"Well, mate, you go back and watch the whole video and it is what it is," he said. "He twisted my knee, I chased him.
"Jennings scored while he had a verbal behind the posts. And I did give him a cheap shot in the tackle and then he verbally challenged me and got up and pushed me.
'So, I mean, it's there to be seen. It's not making anything up.
"You can't change what happened and I wouldn't change what happened. We weren't standing there to exchange numbers.
"He took it to the next level by pushing me. He said a few things in the tackle I didn't like. I mean, he did that and it was on. I still can't believe I am suspended for it."
He said it would be wrong if vision of the fight is used to promote Origin II given he copped a one-match ban for it.
"Since day one Origin has been promoted as this war," Gallen said. "Don't promote it and then when it happens suspend someone."
Tallis is a dummy. Farah is on the side line as a result of myles billboard forehead. Good on gal for standing up to him and putting him in his place, that's what origin is about if you ask me. Myles name has been thrown around for years about grubby tactics in tackles.
When Gallen got stuck into Myles, this incident is the first thing that popped into my mind ... but this was a lot worse. Tallis makes some good points most of the time, but he definitely can't condemn what Gallen did.
Blues great Benny Elias says NSW captain Paul Gallen deserves a gong for belting Nate Myles in Origin I. Source: The Daily Telegraph
HE has been ridiculed and bagged in Queensland for his one-two combination on Nate Myles, but Blues skipper Paul Gallen should have been awarded an Order of Australia medal in yesterday's Queen's Birthday Honours list.
That is the opinion of former NSW hooker Ben Elias, who said: "I was looking for his name in the paper when the list came out."I can't believe it's not there. He should have been awarded the Order of Australia medal for services to NSW rugby league."His decision (to belt Myles) was a landmark decision in Blues history."Gallen will arrive in Brisbane for State of Origin game two as public enemy No.1 - a title once held by Elias.Elias has irritated Queenslanders for years.Asked did he agree with Gallen's punch-on in Origin I, Elias said: "Gal is our leader and he made a statement."He lives and dies by his decisions and it was the right call. We needed someone to stand up and he did that. It was a landmark decision."The line in the sand has now been drawn. If your kids want a lesson in etiquette then they shouldn't watch Origin."This is a tough game. I don't think Myles will wait that split second if it happens again in the second game."The rules are now set. This second game will probably be the biggest game in State of Origin history."Elias yesterday offered Gallen some friendly advice about what to expect in Brisbane.
Paul Gallen connects with Nate Myles' chin in State of Origin I. Source: Getty Images
A former NSW skipper, Elias said Gallen won't be picked-up by local cabbies, should watch what he eats for contaminated food and will be abused in the streets.Elias also said the predictable Queensland crowd will chant "Gallen is a ****er"."They really hate us in every way," Elias said. "Being hated in Brisbane can be very intimidating. My advice would be that Gal should take it as a compliment. He should embrace it. Believe it or not, it is a sign of respect. Myles didn't have a problem with what happened, neither did Mal Meninga or Laurie Daley."Gallen's side head north one-up and are just 80 minutes from winning NSW's first Origin series since 2005.
Victory would further immortalise coach Laurie Daley in Origin history.Maroons assistant coach Michael Hagan yesterday claimed the decision not to dismiss or sin-bin Gallen had set a precedent."What would have happened if Myles punched Gallen twice in the head at ANZ Stadium last Wednesday night?," asked Hagan in his Yahoo!7 column."If you are being honest, you would agree Myles would have spent some time on the sideline. Either sent-off or at least sin-binned. Look, State of Origin is a different beast to the NRL. We all know that and we accept that."I do though think the game has set a precedent by allowing Gallen to stay on the field after the Myles incident."I just hope Queensland is afforded the same advantages when we play at our home ground in Origin II."
Greg Inglis confronts Paul Gallen in State of Origin I. Source: Getty Images
GREG Inglis hasn't ruled out a get-square on Paul Gallen when the NSW skipper runs out for Origin II at Suncorp Stadium - and fellow Maroon Chris McQueen admits Gallen is a player the Maroons like to niggle to put him off his game.
Inglis was reluctant to fuel any post-match war of words yesterday but when asked specifically if there will be a square-up on Gallen for his attack on Nate Myles, Inglis said: "You never know until we get into camp so we will have to sit back and wait and see."New NRL boss Dave Smith publicly warned both teams in yesterday's Daily Telegraph that referees would have his full support to take any action necessary if foul play occurs, with the sin bin a major threat aimed to deter retribution.One of the things Gallen has used in his defence since his fight with Nate Myles was that Myles said something in the tackle leading up to the brawl that he didn't like - but it is not known exactly what was said.Former Queensland captain Gorden Tallis said this week Gallen needed to develop a "thicker skin" while McQueen admitted trying to bait the NSW captain was a tactic Queensland did employ."Me personally not really but the team, yeah," McQueen said. "He's one of their best players, he is their captain. So anything that we can do to get him off his game is going to make our job that much easier."Asked if that was what Myles was trying to do throughout the game, McQueen added: "You'd have to ask him about that, I'm not too sure."He said Gallen was seen as a player who can take the bait.
Paul Gallen lands a punch on Nate Myles as Billy Slater offers support. Source: Getty Images
"I don't know if he is one necessarily that can be baited more than others but if you push someone or if you are going to have a go at someone you've got to expect that back in Origin football," he said.The Rabbitohs take on Myles' Gold Coast Titans this Sunday in Cairns and while he is on the opposition team this week, Myles had plenty of support at South Sydney training yesterday.Sam Burgess for one reckons Myles plays hard, but fair."I think everyone is having a go at Nate Myles here, I'm just standing in his corner," Burgess said. "I think he is a tough player, he plays the game fair."Players are always niggling and trying to put players off."Inglis was reluctant to comment on the fight: "It happens, it is Origin footy."
NSW Blues Origin captain Paul Gallen. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph
QUEENSLAND "will be ready'' for Paul Gallen in Origin II, according to front page headlines in Brisbane, and I'd be disappointed if they weren't.
The way the mob is baying up there in Queensland it is not hard to imagine their fans are prepared to string Gallen up the first chance they get when he runs on to Suncorp Stadium in a fortnight, the only relief being that rope can be hard to find at the footy.Thankfully, Paul Gallen is good with that.The reaction in some parts of NSW, though, has been more worrying.Why is it that we finally get the leader we have been craving in NSW and, straight away, half the State turns against him?They call him a thug. Compare his one-two on Nate Myles to an act of late night street violence, which always has more to do with alcohol than anything anybody ever saw in Origin, but so be it.In Queensland, they're in no doubt about what they're about.In every interview he has given since the game Maroons assistant coach Michael Hagan has warned a "precedent was set'' by Gallen in game one.In his column Hagan said that he hopes "Queensland is afforded the same advantages when we play at our home ground'' as Gallen was at his.There has been no outpouring of angst from sections of Queensland over Hagan's comments, though.No "let's leave it on the field'' mantra or cries against premeditated violence.No, up in Queensland they're all right behind Hagan and his promise of vigilante justice, because that's what Origin means to them.And we accept that because that's Queensland.
It's not as if the Maroons aren't capable of the get square, either.Remember their response when Brett White knocked out Steve Price in Game III of the 2009 series, and Trent Waterhouse was sent off.Queensland got a penalty shortly after, the team leaders met briefly, and from the restart Cam Smith put up a bomb for a posse of pursuing players to gang tackle NSW captain Kurt Gidley and trigger an all-in brawl.It was blatant, and the man driving it was Queensland's original Mr Cleanskin, Darren Lockyer.Like all great leaders, Lockyer understood there were times you had to take a stand, even if the referee had sufficiently penalised the Blues, if only to show it won't be accepted again.
He was applauded across Queensland for it.In NSW we barely care to remember it, let alone maintain the grudge.Instead, we watch Gallen stand up against years of Queensland bullying and instead of saying about time we condemn him for it.Not a lot of backbone there.We instead give air to Queensland's yelping about Gallen attacking a defenceless Myles, with his hands by his side when anybody that has ever been involved in a fight knows that he should have raised them. Nobody ever won a fight with their hands down.We give credibility to Queensland's version that the incident was isolated to Gallen tackling Myles and Myles standing up, oblivious to Gallen's intent, before Gallen unloaded.The context is missing.They didn't see Myles push him and say: "Is that the best you got?''They overlook Myles, three minutes earlier, grabbing Gallen's injured knee and twisting it in a tackle.They ignore it came against the backdrop of Myles leading with his head earlier in the half against Jarryd Hayne, putting Hayne down briefly.Or that it came after Myles knocked out Robbie Farah in game three last year with the same action.
Which came after the Blues complained about Myles' head attacks following game one the same year.Sam Burgess said the other night that if you isolated every player's game you would find dozens of similar incidents, and it is true.But Myles particularly irked the Blues with his illegal ploys, and years of behind the scenes whingeing failed to stop it.All this contributed to Gallen saying enough is enough and, like Lockyer had, taking steps to make sure it didn't happen again.And so now, thanks to a page one tip-off, Queensland is threatening retribution.Gallen has accepted as much, and goes to Queensland anyway, prepared to lead his team onto the stadium in front of thousands who wish him harm, and some who will get the opportunity.
That is not the behaviour of a man lacking in character.That is a man who deserves to be followed.
Blues captain Paul Gallen during State of Origin Game One. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph
QUEENSLAND can cop Paul Gallen's punches as part of Origin footy. It's the excuses that are wearing thin.
The NSW skipper has done a virtual personal promotional tour since unleashing hell on Nate Myles in Origin I, appearing on almost every TV program and radio show dedicated to rugby league.
In each appearance he has whinged about copping a suspension for the punches.
Gallen claimed his attack on Myles was a sign of the respect towards his Test teammate and it should be seen a compliment that the Blues targeted the second rower.
The Queenslanders do not buy it for a second.
"If I punched everyone I respect, well ..." Ashley Harrison said.
"It wouldn't be my cup of tea. Like I said, each to their own."
It is more than a week since Gallen and Myles clashed and with another 13 days until Game Two, it will not be the last we hear of the fight.
Blues skipper Paul Gallen punches the Maroons' Nate Myles during the Origin opener at ANZ Stadium.
Myles is sick of talking about it. He said as much minutes after the game and his stance that it was just a part of Origin footy has not changed.
But taking it as a compliment? No chance.
"If they want to try and say that it was a compliment, I don't know, do you go around doing that to people you compliment?" Myles asked.
"They can say what they want. Like I said on the night, we lost and that's the most disappointing thing for me.
"We have to win Game Two and I'm still talking about Origin and I've got a game to play this weekend."
The hype leading into Game Two means Gallen will be public enemy No.1.
Maroons centre Justin Hodges said it was no secret they would target Gallen.
"Gal is the guy you want to target first. If you take his spirit away and everything he does, you almost win the game."
Myles won't be changing his controversial tackling style, despite accusations he leads with his head and accepted his role as chief villain in NSW.
"I think anyone that wears a Queensland jumper is going to be vilified that way down there," he said.
The most important thing Myles has learnt from this whole saga is the advice he got from his grandfather.
"My granddad hit the nail on the head. He said 'if you want to fight put your hands up, if you don't step back.' I thought that was pretty spot on."
Wow, they didnt talk about it this much when price got knocked out, or when tallis flogged ross in that club match... who cares, myles is a grub they had a fight move on to game 2!
Roach's strong words and Daley's meeting with Anderson will no doubt cause enormous angst in the often precious and parochial Queensland media.Particular coming from Blocker Roach, a renowned hard man, and one of the most fearless men to lace a boot."I'm no angel, I got into trouble a lot of times,'' Roach said yesterday."But if I had a fight with anyone it was a stand-up stink, one-on-one. I'm all for getting the grubs out of the game."I know Nate Myles and he's a nice bloke but you can't twist blokes' ankles and knees and cannonball into defenceless blokes with your head."It's not tough. All the tough blokes I played against didn't try and headbutt you in tackles.''Roach says Myles obviously takes advantage of the softer policing of rules and foul play in Origin.Since Origin's inception 33 years ago, players have got away with indiscretions that would have attracted long suspensions in club football.
NSW skipper Paul Gallen lets the fists fly at Queensland's Nate Myles. Picture courtesy of Channel 9
"I've never seen him do any of this stuff in club football for the Titans,'' Roach said."He does it in Origin because he's been allowed to get away with it.''The former Balmain, Blues and Kangaroo Test prop is just as concerned about leg twisting and wrestling manoeuvres.Again, referees police it in NRL but never, ever in State of Origin."If I was playing and someone twisted my ankle, I'd whack them, don't worry about that,'' Roach said."There's nothing more uncomfortable or painful than the feeling of your joints being forced somewhere they shouldn't be going."Ankle twisting, knee twisting, trying to pull your wishbone out.
They just tear at your leg."There's another thing where they knee you in the back of the calves. It cripples you.''Roach revealed the Blues had made a similar complaint to former NRL refs boss Bill Harrigan during last year's series but nothing was done about it."We're hoping Daniel Anderson and the referees will act on it,'' he said."It's really grubby stuff. Nate Myles doesn't have to do that sort of thing."All our boys respect him as a tough bloke, without all the crap.''Roach says he cannot believe the NRL has come up with the no-punching edict but ignored other areas of the game that need cleaning up."Seriously, my mother is the most quiet, unassuming loving person I've ever met,'' Roach said."She's 77 and she's beautiful. She said to me the other day, 'Stephen, I love a bit of biff when the boys fire up.'"So does everyone. I can't believe they've made a blanket decision to ban a punch."At least two blokes standing there whacking each other is a fair fight - unlike using your forehead as a weapon.''
Paul Gallen and Nate Myles go at it in Origin I. Source: Getty Images
QUEENSLAND forward Nate Myles verbally baited NSW captain Paul Gallen in State of Origin I by branding him a "cheat".
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the sledge from Myles was another tipping point behind Gallen opting to unleash a flurry of punches on the Maroons enforcer's chin at ANZ Stadium.Aside from a knee twist and Myles repeatedly using his head to cannonball into Blues players, the Maroons forward also attempted to get under Gallen's guard by baiting the Blues skipper.Replays of the incident and the audio moments before it kicked off suggest Myles said to Gallen, "Is that the best you've got?"But The Sunday Telegraph can confirm the NSW camp was already fuming after Myles called Gallen a "cheat" earlier in the match.In the lead-up to Origin II at Suncorp Stadium, Gallen has openly admitted in numerous interviews there was a verbal element to his explosion at Myles.In a Channel Nine interview last week, Gallen said: "At that moment something happened in the tackle.
There was a push and shove and a few things said and that's what happened. I lost my cool."Verbal warfare is nothing new to rugby league, with some of the best on-field banter often entering NRL folklore.Retired NSW Origin and Manly centre Terry Hill was one of the best in the business, closely followed by the Johns brothers, Matthew and Andrew.Queensland and Brisbane Broncos captain Gorden Tallis was also strong with a one-line jibe when he needed to be, targeting certain players.The Sunday Telegraph has been told some members of the Blues camp are aware of what Myles said to Gallen.
