Myles to pay price for exploits: Lockyer
The full consequences of disgraced Rooster Nate Myles's drunken exploits are still being counted but Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer believes his actions will hit him hardest on Wednesday night.
While wounded Maroons Petero Civoniceva (toe) and Ben Hannant (knee) have been welcomed into Queensland camp to savour a possible 3-0 series' whitewash, Myles has been banished after being suspended for six weeks for defecating in a corridor of a NSW Central Coast hotel earlier this month.
Roosters' sponsors Samsung are reviewing their $1 million deal in the fallout from Myles's drunken stupor which has the NRL ready to make an example of the game's next offender.
Lockyer said on Monday he had no personal anger towards Myles and accepted his word that he had made a terrible mistake.
"I'm not angry," said Lockyer when asked if he'd forgiven Myles for shaming the game.
"He says it was an accident and I believe that.
"I feel disappointed for him because he's played a big part in the last few series and he's going to miss out on Wednesday.
"That's a pretty big punishment for him and he'll be hurting on Wednesday night.
"We as players haven't forgotten what he's done for us on the field."
Queensland coach and Origin icon Mal Meninga confirmed Myles would not join the team on Wednesday night.
He said players had a responsibility to make sure they left the game in a better state than they found it.
"Nate may be in hiding for a fair time so I think he'll be watching on TV somewhere," Meninga said last week when asked if Myles would be allowed re-join teammates on Wednesday night.
Lockyer said apart from Myles, there were other players like former Canberra winger Adam Mogg, now playing for French club Catalan Dragons in the UK Super League, who had made a significant contribution to Queensland's historic four straight series wins.
"This team will be remembered as the one making history but there were a lot of guys before this year that played a part in it," said Lockyer who again declining to confirm Origin No.30 could be his last.
"Moggy was one of them.
"The try he scored in Melbourne in game three. If he doesn't score that are we in this position?
"Guys like that they have to take a few raps themselves."
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.