Chambers rejects ‘dirty’ tag ahead of Origin II
QUEENSLAND selector Gene Miles has slammed NSW for labelling Will Chambers a “niggler”, as the Maroons centre shrugged off criticism of his playing style.
The Blues this week revealed coach Brad Fittler had prepared them for Queensland’s “dirty tactics” ahead of Game One, with a particular focus on Chambers and forward Josh McGuire.
Jack de Belin went on to label Chambers a “good niggler” with “a lot of lip” while NSW media claimed the Maroons tried to win the game in Melbourne by ruffling their opponents’ feathers.
But Chambers hit back by saying nothing he does during the game is planned.
“It’s the same old stuff from them,” he said.
“They’ve compared me to other sledgers, I don’t care.
“I will go out to play footy. I don’t go in with premeditated thoughts about what I’m going to say. If it comes out of my mouth, it comes out. It’s white line fever.
“A few players in the competition get fired up and I’m one of those I guess.”
Miles leapt to Chambers’ defence, saying he is not a dirty player and had always played with aggression but never stepped over the line, despite copping a one-match ban for lifting his knees into NSW hooker Damien Cook.
“That’s probably really un- fair to Will,” Miles said.
“As long as there’s a fine line in the sand and it’s not too bad … it’s worked for him all this time and that’s why he continues to do it.
“He’s a tough bugger and he doesn’t take a backward step from anyone and doesn’t care who he sledges and he backs it up.
“I love the way Will plays.”