By Tommy Raudonikis
YESTERDAY was the worst day of my life. More painful than the time I fractured my cheekbone against the bloody Roosters in 1969. More embarrassing than the night I was locked out of my hotel room nude. And more sickening than the time I drank 30 schooners in three hours.
Yesterday was the worst day of my life because I had to get in my ute and face up to a bunch of Queenslanders after one of the softest performances by a NSW team in history.
One of the most embarrassing performances I have ever seen.
Yesterday I had to go and do my deliveries on the Gold Coast with my head held low and boy, did they give it to me. I just copped it everywhere I went, and I have had enough.
I hope these players know the extent of what happened on Wednesday night - they made history by losing four times in a row.
We should have our flags down at half mast. We really should.
They put up a bit of a fight in the second half but it was too late because the first half was just deplorable. The passes they threw stank worse than Bill Harrigan's refereeing. But even worse was the lack of urgency they showed.
They just stood back while the Maroons made history.
The Greg Inglis try was just awful. Terrible. They just let him run through. Stroll though and score. They should have rushed up and smashed him. Belted him like Trent Barrett did when it was all too late.
It was as soft as I ever have seen.
The Blues played like a pack of sheilas on Wednesday night and something must be done.
It is time for the broom to come out. Everyone has to go. The coach the selectors and the players. Gone.
I like Craig Bellamy, but he has failed. The people around him have failed. The only bloke I would keep is Anthony Watmough, he was our one shining light. He had a go.
And of course there was the stink. That was real good. And guess what? No one got hurt. It reminded me of the good old cattledog days.
What needs to be asked is where to we go from here? How do we salvage some pride? How will we beat this cocky bunch of bloody Queenslanders?
Well the answer is right here. NSW, you need me. Tommy is your man. Every year I put my application in to coach NSW and every year they laugh at me. Well who is laughing now? I tell you who is laughing - Queensland. And we are the joke.
In 1997 we were in a hole and I was the bloke with the shovel. They picked me to coach and I won the series. I went to my first press conference and I had no socks on. No undies too. Then I went to Melbourne and I forgot my teeth. People thought I was a joke, but no one was laughing when I got the job done.
I beg them year after year for the job but they won't give it to me. What do they think I am going to do - embarrass them? Do they think I am going to say the wrong thing? No, I won't. I will surround myself with the right people and I will pick a team that will win Origin.
I will pick players who want to play Origin. Who want to bleed for this state.
I don't think the current team has the passion to play Origin. They play like it is a job. I'd pick my players and tell them it is my way or the highway. Play for me or leave. No questions.
We need to pick a squad now for the future. We need to breed them into Origin. We pick the blokes who want to play. Blokes that like rugby league more than the dollar.
I want blokes who can go the distance. Who can play 80 minutes of football. How about that prop that came off after just 14 minutes? Michael Weyman played just 14 minutes and came off. You're kidding - look at Steve Price.
This meant a lot to me and I am shattered. I am sitting back and crying in my beer as I write this. But don't despair, I am here. I am ready for the job. I am ready to give it to Queensland.
YESTERDAY was the worst day of my life. More painful than the time I fractured my cheekbone against the bloody Roosters in 1969. More embarrassing than the night I was locked out of my hotel room nude. And more sickening than the time I drank 30 schooners in three hours.
Yesterday was the worst day of my life because I had to get in my ute and face up to a bunch of Queenslanders after one of the softest performances by a NSW team in history.
One of the most embarrassing performances I have ever seen.
Yesterday I had to go and do my deliveries on the Gold Coast with my head held low and boy, did they give it to me. I just copped it everywhere I went, and I have had enough.
I hope these players know the extent of what happened on Wednesday night - they made history by losing four times in a row.
We should have our flags down at half mast. We really should.
They put up a bit of a fight in the second half but it was too late because the first half was just deplorable. The passes they threw stank worse than Bill Harrigan's refereeing. But even worse was the lack of urgency they showed.
They just stood back while the Maroons made history.
The Greg Inglis try was just awful. Terrible. They just let him run through. Stroll though and score. They should have rushed up and smashed him. Belted him like Trent Barrett did when it was all too late.
It was as soft as I ever have seen.
The Blues played like a pack of sheilas on Wednesday night and something must be done.
It is time for the broom to come out. Everyone has to go. The coach the selectors and the players. Gone.
I like Craig Bellamy, but he has failed. The people around him have failed. The only bloke I would keep is Anthony Watmough, he was our one shining light. He had a go.
And of course there was the stink. That was real good. And guess what? No one got hurt. It reminded me of the good old cattledog days.
What needs to be asked is where to we go from here? How do we salvage some pride? How will we beat this cocky bunch of bloody Queenslanders?
Well the answer is right here. NSW, you need me. Tommy is your man. Every year I put my application in to coach NSW and every year they laugh at me. Well who is laughing now? I tell you who is laughing - Queensland. And we are the joke.
In 1997 we were in a hole and I was the bloke with the shovel. They picked me to coach and I won the series. I went to my first press conference and I had no socks on. No undies too. Then I went to Melbourne and I forgot my teeth. People thought I was a joke, but no one was laughing when I got the job done.
I beg them year after year for the job but they won't give it to me. What do they think I am going to do - embarrass them? Do they think I am going to say the wrong thing? No, I won't. I will surround myself with the right people and I will pick a team that will win Origin.
I will pick players who want to play Origin. Who want to bleed for this state.
I don't think the current team has the passion to play Origin. They play like it is a job. I'd pick my players and tell them it is my way or the highway. Play for me or leave. No questions.
We need to pick a squad now for the future. We need to breed them into Origin. We pick the blokes who want to play. Blokes that like rugby league more than the dollar.
I want blokes who can go the distance. Who can play 80 minutes of football. How about that prop that came off after just 14 minutes? Michael Weyman played just 14 minutes and came off. You're kidding - look at Steve Price.
This meant a lot to me and I am shattered. I am sitting back and crying in my beer as I write this. But don't despair, I am here. I am ready for the job. I am ready to give it to Queensland.