Inglis subjected to nastier slurs
QUEENSLAND Origin star Greg Inglis dropped a racism bombshell yesterday, claiming he had been called worse names than a “black dog”.
Inglis, still angry at being racially abused by two Panthers fans while playing for Souths during a Round 2 match at Penrith, said he had confronted racism throughout his career.
The fans have been indefinitely banned from NRL matches for calling Inglis a “black dog” as he left the field for a concussion test.
When asked whether he had been called worse names than a “black dog”, a clearly upset Inglis said: “I sure have. It gets worse.”
Inglis wouldn’t elaborate whether the remarks occurred on or off the field.
‘‘I know where I am in the game and that’s somewhere where I can voice my opinion. At the end of the day, I’m happy with who I am.
“And I know what I stand for. That’s the way I handle it.
“It is a subject that needs to be addressed.”
The Queensland and Kangaroos player reiterated his strong stance against racism, saying there was no place for it in rugby league.
On the field, Inglis insists left centre should remain his short-term home at Souths, despite figures showing he has endured his quietest start to a season since 2011.
On return from injury, Inglis says he endorses Alex Johnston to keep the fullback role in the short future, including tomorrow night’s clash with the Roosters.
“I’m happy being there at centre,” said the 31-year-old who is averaging 101 running metres a game for Souths in 2018, well down on the 147 he averaged in the first five games in 2012 to 2016.