Maroons forward reprimanded for extraordinary comments about Origin ref: 'Double agent'
The Dolphins star made the extraordinary comments when stopped by media on Thursday morning.
'I'm not sure how much trouble I could get into for saying it but I thought Ash Klein did a bit to try and, you know, even it up or make it a bit closer,' Kerr told News Corp outside the team hotel.
'We were sitting there going, "it's rorted, the game's rorted".
'I haven't got the best eyesight at times but I'm watching four passes and sh*t.
'We were all on the sideline just going, "oh, no, it's a double agent".
'It makes it more exciting, doesn't it, and it brings out the Queenslander in all those players.'
The NRL have responded to the remarks, stating that Kerr's comments have contravened the code of conduct and are 'detrimental to the best interests of the game'.
Kerr has been given five business days to respond.
Klein was heavily criticised after game two for awarding eight penalties for the Maroons - and none for Laurie Daley's men across the opening 40 minutes.
In the series decider, Queensland left New South Wales stunned as they won back State of Origin bragging rights with a 24-12 victory against the Blues.
Emotional scenes erupted at full-time as players and coaches from both sides rallied around Maroons captain Cameron Munster, who returned to guide his side to the epic victory, following the sudden passing of his dad, Steven.
Tom Dearden was crowned the Player of the Series and once again stood up for the Maroons, scoring twice either side of half-time, with Xavier Coates and Harry Grant also crossing the whitewash.
New South Wales had looked a shadow of the side that had won the opening fixture of the series, with the Maroons running out a 20-0 lead by half-time.
It was coach Billy Slater's third Origin series victory.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Paul Gallen labels Sonny Bill Williams 'a disgusting human being' and accuses him of shocking act during fiery press conference
Paul Gallen has taken aim at Sonny Bill Williams during a fiery press conference ahead of the pair's highly-anticipated heavyweight showdown. After years of back and forth, the former NRL stars will finally get to settle their differences at Sydney 's Qudos Bank Arena on Wednesday night. Williams, 39, goes into the fight as the favourite despite being knocked out in his last bout and having less experience than the 43-year-old former Blues skipper. On Monday, the pair came face-to-face to trade verbal barbs at an emotionally charged press conference in North Sydney. 'People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones,' said Gallen. '...this bloke has said he really dislikes me because of my cushy job - we've got the same job, we are employed by the same people, you idiot. '...then he wants to talk about drugs. This bloke is an admitted drug user, you admitted to using drugs to cope. 'Then you want to make up a lie about a $10 barbecue... don't you do food reviews Sonny? Do you charge people for your food reviews? 'Me asking blokes to tip in $10 - which isn't true by the way - is frowned upon. You are worth millions of dollars, do you charge people for food reviews? Do you charge people to do food reviews? Yes or no? 'You go to small business, you're supposed to help people in the community, you go to small businesses but you charge them between $2000 and $3000, I've been told. 'I've got a recording in my phone right now from someone who told me you charge... you are a scumbag, you are a disgusting human being. 'You walk around like you help the community and do this and that for people when you go and charge small business thousands to "help them" - you're a piece of s**t.' The former All Black, who says he has a strategy to win, fired back at Gallen by making reference to alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. Gallen said he expected that response from Williams. 'I said to media people in this room, the only thing this bloke is going to go on about is drug testing because he's a stupid prick, he's got nothing else to say,' he said. 'He's an idiot.' Williams last fought in 2022, suffering a shock knockout loss to MMA star Mark Hunt. Despite the setback, his athletic pedigree and star power make him a huge draw. Gallen retired from the sport in 2022 after a win over Justin Hodges, but has always said he'd like to take on Williams. The only two blemishes on Gallen's pro record were in Australian heavyweight title bouts against Justis Huni and Kris Terzievski. Aussie boxing legend Danny Green said he's looking forward to Wednesday night. 'It's going to be intense when the bell goes. These boys both really want to win. Sitting next to these blokes, I'm even more excited,' he said. 'I can see how attuned they are to what they want to do – and they want to knock each other out. I can't wait to sit ringside and watch these two belt each other.' The pair will see each other again on Tuesday for the weigh-ins.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Brisbane Broncos fan's VERY cheeky reference to Kotoni Staggs sex tape during win over Gold Coast Titans
Brisbane's fifth-straight win wasn't the only talking point after their 26–14 triumph over the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday night. During the live broadcast from Robina, a travelling Broncos fan caused a stir with a bold sign referencing a scandal from five years ago. The sign, which read 'Suck my toes Kotoni', was a direct nod to a 2020 sex tape involving Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs. The woman holding it wore Broncos supporters gear and was caught on camera during the match. Her sign quickly went viral online, sparking reactions across social media platforms and prompting a fresh wave of attention toward the infamous scandal. The reference ties back to a controversial moment in 2020, when a sex tape of Staggs was distributed without his consent. The footage was recorded by then 18-year-old McKenzie Lorraine Robinson during a consensual sexual encounter arranged via Instagram. Staggs gave permission for the act to be filmed but only for private viewing. The footage, shot from a first-person angle, featured explicit scenes including toe sucking. The pair did not meet again, but Robinson continued to message Staggs in the months that followed. Eventually, a snippet of the video was sent to Staggs directly. On August 4, 2020, the video appeared on social media, reportedly circulated to multiple sporting organisations. Staggs made a formal complaint to police, leading to Robinson being charged with distributing prohibited visual recordings. Under Queensland law, the offence carries a maximum sentence of three years' imprisonment. She pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates Court and was fined $600, avoiding a conviction. Magistrate Tina Privatera considered her early guilty plea and opted against recording a conviction. Robinson's lawyer claimed the footage was sent to a friend whom she trusted, and it was that friend who then circulated it publicly. Despite not intending for the video to become public, Robinson was held accountable for its distribution. Sunday's clash was Brisbane's fifth consecutive win, keeping them fifth on the ladder and within reach of the top four, but Staggs was involved in a heated on-field moment during the tense Queensland derby. But tensions briefly flared just before half-time, as Broncos fullback Reece Walsh and Staggs appeared to exchange frustrated words on the field. With seconds left in the half, the Broncos were in a familiar attacking shape down the right side. Walsh, floating behind the decoy runners, threw a sharp pass intended to put Staggs on the outside of Brian Kelly, but Staggs couldn't handle the pill. Pete Badel has labeled this a 'Heated Reece Walsh-Kotoni Staggs on-field confrontation' 😂 — NRLCentral (@centralNRL) July 13, 2025 Fox League commentator Cooper Cronk called the moment 'a clunky catch' but defended the centre, saying 'pressure was on him.' Immediately after the mistake, the broadcast showed Walsh speaking to Staggs, with the centre appearing to offer an apology. As the teams headed into the sheds, Deine Mariner put an arm around Walsh. The cameras then caught another moment of visible frustration from the Broncos fullback. Walsh's emotions carried into the break. Ben Hunt, covering the half-time interview duties, had a quiet word with Walsh afterwards. 'He plays with high emotion, I suppose he thought his right centre should've caught that,' Bryan Fletcher said during the broadcast. Inside the sheds, Walsh had another brief outburst before calming down. Post-match, captain Adam Reynolds was asked about Walsh's emotions and the exchange. 'We're trying to be perfect out there, It's not always going to go to plan,' Reynolds said. 'But we're adults, We talk about a situation when it happens.' He confirmed the pair had resolved the issue quickly, with the team scoring a long-range try shortly after. 'They're working hard, and it's always good to have that feedback on the field,' he said. Coach Michael Maguire also weighed in, saying the game plan was designed to give Staggs early ball. 'Reece, he loves his footy and he's striving to continually be the best,' Maguire said. 'That's all the boys. That's the perfection they're chasing.' He defended Walsh's passionate approach. 'Reece wears his heart on his sleeve and that's why we love him.' 'At times he's going to execute something, and other times he's working out how he gets it done.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Jelena Dokic goes public with new romance as the identity of her mystery man is finally revealed
Former Australian tennis champion Jelena Dokic has gone Instagram official with her new boyfriend Yane Veselinov. The 42-year-old sports commentator shared a loved-up photo of herself and Yane to social media on Monday alongside a sweet caption. Jelena gushed over her man, writing: 'You are my calm, safe, peaceful and happy place. So glad I found you.' Little is known about Yane, who is a Hospitality Operations Manager but his Instagram bio describes him as a 'food and wine enthusiast, pleasure seeker and life enjoyer.' Many of Jelena's followers flocked to the comments to express their excitement over her relationship news. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, . 'Oh YAYYYYYY!!!! So happy for you xxxx you deserve all the joy and happiness life has to offer,' one person wrote. 'This is so amazing, so happy for you beautiful,' another said while a third added: 'So happy for your happiness - you deserve this love.' It comes after the couple were seen cuddling up at Melbourne airport back in May. Jelena was seen exiting her flight and grinning broadly as she accepted a warm embrace from her bearded man as she entered the terminal. Late last year, Jelena revealed she has been 'closed off' to finding love ever since she split from her long-time Brazilian boyfriend Tin Bikic. The couple were together for almost 19 years before announcing they had ended their relationship in 2021. Despite saying that her walls have been up ever since, Jelena took to Instagram to make the heartbreaking admission that she's 'scared of being alone' for the rest of her life. 'Love. It's been a challenging personal period. We don't talk about this enough but relationship breakdowns are so tough,' she said alongside a selfie. 'And if you have been the one left hurt or abandoned then let's be honest, it's just life shattering. And as you get older, it only gets tougher with more scars, pain and hurt. 'My 19-year relationship ended 4 years ago and while we will always care for each other especially because we were together since we were 20, that chapter is over.' Jelena went on to say that she was 'built' to love one person 'unconditionally and so fully that it gets me in trouble'. 'It turns into heartbreak and pain,' she bemoaned. 'I put up walls 4 years ago and I said they are never coming down. 'But as life likes to show us, not everything we plan or think will happen actually does. So, of course, someone brought those walls down and I got hurt. Badly. 'So, I guess the question is: Do we keep our walls down and hope love comes along? Or do we never give it a chance again and don't allow the walls to come down? 'There are people that will have different answers. I have now been alone and closed off for 4 years and I still don't know what the answer is.' The Australian tennis commentator said she now has 'a lot of abandonment issues' from her past, which make her 'feel like I will be alone forever'. Jelena was referring to the horrendous abuse she suffered at the hands of her father and tennis coach Damir Dokic. 'Am I the only one scared of being alone for the rest of my life?' the media personality candidly asked her fans. 'Bringing walls down has also brought some feelings and triggers I never had before and I don't know how to react or what to do,' Jelena continued in the lengthy missive. 'Bottom line is it's tough and what do we do? Close ourselves off forever or get hurt and feel pain in order to one day maybe feel that unbelievable and crazy love again?'' Jelena ended her searching questions by saying she had come down on the side of hope and openness. 'I will never give up and one day those walls will come down again and hopefully the wait, pain, hurt and disappointment will be worth it and I will find that amazing love,' she said. Jelena was left 'shattered' in the aftermath of her split from her long-time boyfriend Tin Bikic in 2021, revealing last year how heartbroken she was.
