‘I hate it': Paul Gallen wishes he never punched Nate Myles
As Paul Gallen was being inducted into the NSW Rugby League Hall of Fame on Monday night, video footage of him repeatedly punching Queenslander Nate Myles in the head during a 2013 Origin game was beamed on a giant TV screen inside The Star.
Gallen cringed when he spotted the moment, and sheepishly smiled at the two other inductees sitting on stage, fellow Cronulla legend Andrew Ettingshausen and Balmain's Benny Elias.
The night Gallen landed a barrage of blows on Myles' chin also signalled the end of punching in the NRL, with the governing body ruling the next day that any player who threw a punch would be sent to the sin bin.
Gallen rarely speaks about the incident, and 12 years on 'hates' the fact it happened and is still a hot topic at this time of year.
'I'm not proud of it, and I would have much rather have won that series than have a fight with Nate Myles,' Gallen said.
'It's not what I went out to do on the field that night. It's something that just happened.
'It's not something I look back on [fondly], I never talk about it. If I go to functions, a lot of people ask about it, but it's nothing I bring up.
'I hate it. It makes you feel uncomfortable. It's not rugby league. I was never happy it happened. I was never like, 'f–k yeah, I bashed Nate Myles'. I never once had that attitude.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
9 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Gus questions bold Maroons decision
Phil Gould admits he wouldn't have dropped Daly Cherry-Evans for game two of the Origin series.
The Age
9 hours ago
- The Age
Gus questions bold Maroons decision
Phil Gould admits he wouldn't have dropped Daly Cherry-Evans for game two of the Origin series.
News.com.au
10 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Ridiculous': Blues fans fume at Laurie Daley selection decision as NSW side for Game 2 is revealed
NSW coach Laurie Daley has made two changes to the Blues side that won Game 1, with Storm forward Stefano Utoikamanu replacing the injured Mitch Barnett and Lindsay Smith coming in for Haumole Olakau'atu who has withdrawn from the squad. After Barnett picked up an ugly knee injury last round, Utoikamanu was locked in a three-way battle with Keaon Koloamatangi and Terrell May for a spot on the Blues bench. Storm coach and Daley's NSW team adviser Craig Bellamy threw his support behind Utoikamanu following Melbourne's impressive 38-14 victory over the Cowboys on Friday night, suggesting he was the man for the job. The front-rower produced 146 run metres and 59 post-contact metres in 44 minutes, in a picture perfect Origin audition. 'He was in the camp as the 19th, 20th player, so you'd think he'll be right up there in the firing line,' Bellamy said after the match. And Daley has backed in the super coach, selecting Utoikamanu on the bench for Game 2, which will take place Wednesday week in Perth. Matt Burton, Koloamatangi and Campbell Graham have been selected in Daley's 20-man squad for Game 2 to be played Wednesday week. However, while Blues fans as a whole were pleased with the team selection, the decision to go with Utoikamanu over the likes of Koloamatangi or May, raised a few eyebrows. 'Kaeon should be in the team ahead of Stefano,' one fan said in response to the Game 2 team list. 'Keaon and Terell May should be there.' another added. 'Picking Stefano is ridiculous and Smith cmon now,' a third wrote. While another said: 'Loz has lost the plot. Stefano and Smith in the squad and no May, hahaha. He's got it so wrong.' Meanwhile Olakau'atu has put the birth of his second child ahead of the opportunity to be part of the Blues squad for the second State of Origin game, informing Daley of his decision to remain in NSW. Olakau'atu, who was set to be named in the extended squad, turned up at NSW headquarters to inform them of his desire to remain home to be by his partner's side as they prepare to welcome their first child into the world. Laurie Daley's confirmed NSW team for Game 2 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Brian To'o 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Latrell Mitchell 5. Zac Lomax 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Max King 9. Reece Robson 10. Payne Haas 11. Liam Martin 12. Angus Crichton 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Hudson Young 17. Stefano Utoikamanu 18. Matt Burton 19. Keaon Koloamatangi 20. Lindsay Smith Billy Slater's confirmed Maroons team for Game 2 1 Kalyn Ponga 2 Xavier Coates 3 Robert Toia 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5 Valentine Holmes 6 Cameron Munster 7 Tom Dearden 8 Mo Fotuaika 9 Harry Grant 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11 Kurt Capewell 12 Jeremiah Nanai 13 Pat Carrigan 14 Kurt Mann 15 Lindsay Collins 16 Reuben Cotter 17 Trent Loiero 18 Corey Horsborough 19 Jack Howarth 20 Ezra Mam
