Tahu exits Blues over Johns' race remark

Timana Tahu says he's "hurt" and "devastated" after sensationally walking out of
NSW's State of Origin camp because of an alleged racial slur made by assistant coach
Andrew Johns.
The Parramatta star and Johns both issued statements late on Saturday after a day of
high drama for the under siege Blues, rocked by Tahu's shock departure on Friday
afternoon.
Stunned Blues officials were forced to call upon Canberra Raiders winger Joel
Monaghan as a late replacement for Tahu, whose mother is Aboriginal.
With vice-captain Trent Barrett only arriving in camp at Kingscliff in northern NSW
late Friday night following the birth of daughter Mia, the Blues' preparations have
been thrown into chaos just four days out from Origin II at Suncorp Stadium as they
try to avoid a fifth consecutive series defeat.
It is believed Johns made the racial slur at a team bonding session on Wednesday
night but it was not directed at dual international Tahu.
The Nine Network reported Johns as telling centre Beau Scott he needed to stop "that
black c***", a reference to Maroons Aboriginal star Greg Inglis.
In the report, Johns denied he was a racist.
NSW team officials refused to divulge what Johns said and they only went public with
Tahu's walkout on Saturday morning.
"Joey said something which he thought was just some banter amongst the boys that I
took offence to," said Tahu, who played with Johns in Newcastle's 2001
premiership-winning side.
"It is something I feel strongly about.
"To sacrifice my NSW Origin jumper and to give up the chance of bringing the trophy
back to NSW is obviously something I gave a lot of thought to.
"But I felt I had to make a statement that this sort of behaviour in any environment
is unacceptable and, as a senior player, I had to show that.
"The fact that it came from someone on the coaching staff that is highly respected
in the game and has such influence in rugby league, and someone I have known for a
long time, made it more hurtful.
"It has naturally devastated me that this has happened.
"I am still churned up inside, but I am looking forward to something positive coming
out of this.
"If what eventuates is not just Joey but others becoming more aware of the need to
show respect for different cultures, then I feel the stand I have taken will be
worthwhile."
A "shattered" Johns was quick to apologise and phoned Tahu on Saturday to express
his remorse.
"I said something without thinking which I deeply regret," the former Test and NSW
skipper said in a statement.
"It wasn't directed towards Timana but I now realise how Timana would take offence
to it.
"It wasn't said with any malice but it was ignorant and I realise how inappropriate
it was and that it was not acceptable.
"I have learned a massive lesson from this and I am devastated that it caused Timana
to give up his Origin jersey.
"I am deeply sorry I have hurt Timana, who is someone I have always had a lot of
respect for, and his family too.
"I can't apologise strongly enough. I look forward to sitting down with Timana and
learning from him what is acceptable when it comes to sensitive issues such as this.
"Like many people, I have a lot to learn."
Parramatta chief executive Paul Osborne was not shocked by Tahu's stance.
"Obviously he felt strongly enough about it to actually walk away from one of his
dreams," Osborne told the Macquarie Radio Network on Saturday.
"I don't think he's happy about what he's had to do but I think he's comfortable
with the decision he made. I'm not surprised he took the stand he took."
Blues great Brad Fittler believes the late team change could help NSW square the
series on Wednesday.
"As a structural thing for the team, Joel Monaghan is probably a better winger than
Timana Tahu," Fittler told BigPond Sports Weekend.



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