Matt Scott hits back at 'disrespectful' TV stars

Today Show co-hosts Karl Stefanovic and Ben Fordham have apologised to Kangaroos star Matt Scott after the Cowboys co-captain accused the pair of being “disrespectful” for accusing players pulling out of the Four Nations of lacking respect for the Australian jersey.

“I love the @thetodayshow but it was a bit rich waking up in hospital this morning and listening to @benfordham9 and @kstefanovic saying the players pulling out of this years Four Nations aren’t respecting the Aussie jersey,” Scott wrote on Instagram alongside a pair of photos of him recovering in hospital after shoulder surgery.

“In 2011 I had an epidural in my spine and in 2013 a cortisone in my neck to play for my country.”

“To suggest I would rather spend six months in rehab after a shoulder reconstruction than represent Australia is completely ridiculous and disrespectful,” the post concluded.

Both Stefanovic and Fordham wrote apologies on the post.

"My man. Sometimes we say things about topics in a general sense meaning the system is all wrong and it comes out all wrong. Peanuts we are sometimes.

Apologies for any offence caused. It wasn't the intention. And best of luck with your recovery. We will give you a rev up tomorrow on the show,” Stefanovic wrote.

Scott is one of a number of players to pull out of the tournament including World Cup winners Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Nate Myles and Brett Morris.