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Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh has condemned the actions of Queensland players who sang the Maroons song after winning their Test match against New Zealand, reports News Ltd.
"If it in fact happened, someone should apologise," said the legendary cricketer.
"Maybe it was an honest mistake but it was strange.
"It was inappropriate for sure."
It was an event that Waugh says he would never have let happen in the Australian cricket team’s dressing room while he was captain.
Led by Queensland Origin and Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith, the impromptu ditty was joyfully sung on the field post-match.
But not everyone was so keen on singing the Maroons’ victory tune.
There was an obvious look of discomfort from players who donned the sky blue jersey, such as Paul Gallen, and Josh and Brett Morris as Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and a host of other Queensland players sang the “Aye aye yippee yippee aye†chant.
NSW Origin stars James Tamou and Robbie Farah however were seen half-heartedly joining the chorus.
By singing the Queensland song in the green and gold, it is believed an already large rift in the Australian squad, has grown wider, and split the team aiming to reclaim the Rugby League World Cup from New Zealand next year.
Waugh joins other sporting greats Simon Poidevin, Tommy Raudonikis and Benny Elias who have also hit out at the Queensland players.
"In hindsight, I think we are all disappointed it happened," said John Grant, head of the Australian Rugby League Commission.
Grant says the ARLC has no intention of punishing any of the players involved in the gaffe.
"I was in the dressing room when it was sung and I didn't notice any player having an issue," he said.
NSW captain Paul Gallen told reporters he didn’t take kindly to the song being sung.
"We did notice it and mentioned it, but I certainly didn't sing it."
UPDATE :
Kangaroos skipper Cameron Smith has been forced to interrupt his end-of-season vacation to clear the air with Paul Gallen over the controversy surrounding the chanting of the Queensland victory song after Australia's recent Test win.
Queensland players were labelled "smart arses" for singing a Maroons tune while representing Australia - and there were fears that the lack of respect showed to the NSW players would lead to a rift in the Australian team camp.
While stopping short of issuing the public apology many NSW greats and fans had been calling for, it has been revealed Smith at least had the courtesy to phone Gallen to make certain the incident won't be an on-going issue for the Kangaroo teammates in the countdown to next year's World Cup in England.
"Cameron Smith has spoken to Paul Gallen about it ... he says there is no issue at all," Andrew Hill from the ARLC said.
It was reported last week that a source close to the Test team said NSW players, including Gallen, Brett and Josh Morris and Greg Bird, were furious that Queensland players had hijacked the team celebrations on the field in Townsville.
"They won't say so publicly but the NSW players were filthy," the source said.
Even cricket great Steve Waugh and former Wallaby hardman Simon Poidevin called for the Queenslanders to make a public apology but it appears there is little chance of that ever happening.
When Waugh was asked if what they did after the Test was disrespectful, the man regarded as one of Australia's greatest national leaders said: "You know the answer to that. It was inappropriate for sure."
Poidevin went further: "It was just ridiculous. One hopes it was just a rush of blood but it clearly can't happen again," Poidevin said.
But Hill maintains the leaders of the Australian rugby league camp don't see it that way at all.
"I have spoken to the coach (Tim Sheens), the captain and the vice- captain about it and all of them have confirmed it's a non-issue for the team," Hill said.
But the fact is the "aye aye yippee yippee aye" chorus has become synonymous with Queensland Origin domination and it has no place being sang after Australia's Test wins.
And while Hill said "Cameron and Paul are comfortable with it", when asked if that meant the Queensland chant would be sung after future Australian wins, he laughed: "No."
"If it in fact happened, someone should apologise," said the legendary cricketer.
"Maybe it was an honest mistake but it was strange.
"It was inappropriate for sure."
It was an event that Waugh says he would never have let happen in the Australian cricket team’s dressing room while he was captain.
Led by Queensland Origin and Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith, the impromptu ditty was joyfully sung on the field post-match.
But not everyone was so keen on singing the Maroons’ victory tune.
There was an obvious look of discomfort from players who donned the sky blue jersey, such as Paul Gallen, and Josh and Brett Morris as Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and a host of other Queensland players sang the “Aye aye yippee yippee aye†chant.
NSW Origin stars James Tamou and Robbie Farah however were seen half-heartedly joining the chorus.
By singing the Queensland song in the green and gold, it is believed an already large rift in the Australian squad, has grown wider, and split the team aiming to reclaim the Rugby League World Cup from New Zealand next year.
Waugh joins other sporting greats Simon Poidevin, Tommy Raudonikis and Benny Elias who have also hit out at the Queensland players.
"In hindsight, I think we are all disappointed it happened," said John Grant, head of the Australian Rugby League Commission.
Grant says the ARLC has no intention of punishing any of the players involved in the gaffe.
"I was in the dressing room when it was sung and I didn't notice any player having an issue," he said.
NSW captain Paul Gallen told reporters he didn’t take kindly to the song being sung.
"We did notice it and mentioned it, but I certainly didn't sing it."
UPDATE :
Kangaroos skipper Cameron Smith has been forced to interrupt his end-of-season vacation to clear the air with Paul Gallen over the controversy surrounding the chanting of the Queensland victory song after Australia's recent Test win.
Queensland players were labelled "smart arses" for singing a Maroons tune while representing Australia - and there were fears that the lack of respect showed to the NSW players would lead to a rift in the Australian team camp.
While stopping short of issuing the public apology many NSW greats and fans had been calling for, it has been revealed Smith at least had the courtesy to phone Gallen to make certain the incident won't be an on-going issue for the Kangaroo teammates in the countdown to next year's World Cup in England.
"Cameron Smith has spoken to Paul Gallen about it ... he says there is no issue at all," Andrew Hill from the ARLC said.
It was reported last week that a source close to the Test team said NSW players, including Gallen, Brett and Josh Morris and Greg Bird, were furious that Queensland players had hijacked the team celebrations on the field in Townsville.
"They won't say so publicly but the NSW players were filthy," the source said.
Even cricket great Steve Waugh and former Wallaby hardman Simon Poidevin called for the Queenslanders to make a public apology but it appears there is little chance of that ever happening.
When Waugh was asked if what they did after the Test was disrespectful, the man regarded as one of Australia's greatest national leaders said: "You know the answer to that. It was inappropriate for sure."
Poidevin went further: "It was just ridiculous. One hopes it was just a rush of blood but it clearly can't happen again," Poidevin said.
But Hill maintains the leaders of the Australian rugby league camp don't see it that way at all.
"I have spoken to the coach (Tim Sheens), the captain and the vice- captain about it and all of them have confirmed it's a non-issue for the team," Hill said.
But the fact is the "aye aye yippee yippee aye" chorus has become synonymous with Queensland Origin domination and it has no place being sang after Australia's Test wins.
And while Hill said "Cameron and Paul are comfortable with it", when asked if that meant the Queensland chant would be sung after future Australian wins, he laughed: "No."