NRL great claims he was axed over podcast comments
Updated . First published
Bulldogs premiership winner Reni Maitua claims he was axed from a position with the NSWRL due to comments he made on his weekly podcast.
Maitua, who appears on BTFU’s 180 Podcast alongside Braith Anasta, had been part of a program called “Deadly Choices” working with Indigenous communities.
Reni Maitua working with the Deadly Choices program. Instagram/@renimaitua
He was due to be working with the program as part of State of Origin game three in Brisbane next month, but has now revealed he won’t be involved.
The 44-year-old believes the reason for the change was due to his criticism around the NSW Blues team and under-fire head coach Laurie Daley.
NSWRL officials have denied Maitua’s claims, telling News Corp that he had not been contacted by anyone in authority and had not signed a new contract.
Speaking on the podcast on Wednesday night, the former Kangaroos star said he wasn’t warned about being axed and admitted his disappointment.
“It was something that I enjoy and something I am passionate about ... it was never for financial gain,” Maitua said.
“That kind of work is good for my mental health. I was pencilled in to go to game three. I’d go around Brisbane and do stuff with the homeless and some Aboriginal communities there that we work with. I’ve done it for the last three years.
“I got a call saying because of comments I’d made around the NSW side that I’d lost my role. Someone who is my boss and I consider a close friend – I am not going to hold this against him - he didn’t tell me, I was not warned.
“From a legality point of view – I should’ve been more aware of what I was saying around the side but I never once criticised, I critiqued Laurie Daley’s performance.
“I don’t apologise for my comments. I do care about the fact I’ve been left out of doing the community work.”
Maitua also claimed he didn’t invoice the NSWRL for the last two appearances he made with Deadly Choices community program.
Anasta, who has also been outspoken in his criticism of the Blues and Daley throughout the series, took aim at the governing body.
“I’ve been stronger than you have [criticising NSW],” Anasta said.
“No one else has been sacked, but they think Reni Maitua has done the wrong thing by us and the team – which you have nothing to do with.
“It’s a disgrace. As a good mate, it hurts me that they’ve done it. This shows exactly where the NSWRL are.
“If they think using you and taking away from you and the impact you have on young kids is the right thing to do, pull your heads in.”
