It’s the feud that had the NRL enthralled last weekend.
Paul Gallen; Rebecca Wilson Photo: Getty Images
It’s the feud that had the NRL enthralled last weekend: fearless News Ltd columnist Rebecca Wilson versus Blues skipper Paul Gallen.
In truth, there’s been no love lost between the pair since early 2013 when Wilson was involved in a series of award-winning stories about banned drug use at the Sharks.
But the animosity never truly detonated until last Wednesday night, when she let fly at Gallen on television for declaring his retirement from Origin, on the assumption he’d be re-selected this year.
Gallen returned serve the next evening; but Wilson had the final say in her hard-hitting Saturday Daily Telegraph column.
She tells us the response from readers was unprecedented. Of the 200 emails Wilson received, 185 were supportive – a welcome change from the usual love/hate ratio.
The newspaper itself is also understood to be using the feedback to review how it intends to portray Origin stories this season.
While Gallen has emerged as a popular commentator on broadcast media, there’s no doubt his image is still suffering from the ASADA fall-out.
For the fourth year in a row, Blues sponsor CUB has opted to feature vice-captain Robbie Farah to appear alongside Maroons skipper Cameron Smith in its annual Origin advertising campaign.
For all the latest breaking rugby league headlines, tune in to Seven News LIVE at 6pm.
Josh Massoud and Liam Cox Photo: Channel 7
Earlier On Triple M
Paul Gallen has responded to explosive accusations made about him by Rebecca Wilson, saying that he has no respect for her opinion. Listen to the report below.
Wilson made the comments on a Sky News program last night, and claimed that Gallen was an "attention seeker" who is ultimately a drug cheat and not a hero. See her comments and Gallen's response below.
Gallen's Response.
"Opinion from her means absolutely nothing," Gallen said.
"I take what she says with a grain of salt. She's an idiot as far as I'm concerned. I have no respect for her.
"The drug thing is something I have to accept - it was something that was introduced, supplied and given to us by the club. I have to accept with that.
"Unfortunately everything I do does attract attention...I don't ask for the cameras to turn up.
"I don't have any respect for her opinion and I don't know many people who do.
"She should look in the mirror at some of her past actions.
"I just think she has an agenda against rugby league in general."
Rebecca Wilson's comments.
"He is the greatest attention seeker in the rugby league, and that is saying something," Wilson said.
"Now we're going to go through the whole palava leading up to origin so it's all about him.
"He is a mercinary for the media.
"I don't care what I say about Paul Gallen. He has an asterisk next to his name, he is a convicted drug cheat and all this stuff about him being a hero is, to me, an absolute over-reaction to someone who is a pretty good footballer."
Replies
Lets even the ledger. Cronulla is a better team when he does not play. This turd will be first pick for NSW but may miss the Australian side, Overrated bitter man.
Gal, wise up, mate. You're over the hills now. Retire, live off your peptide money, and keep peeing on cop cars in Byron.
Well Cronulla would be helped if we lose points they may get that top 4 spot. Gal should really just have no comment until what happens. happens.
Paul Gallen is a big mouth. He has a hyde flapping his trap about this in light of what went down with peptide-gate. He is delusional about not being a drug cheat and he shouldn't even be playing due to this. Secondly, he is not even worthy to be picked for nsw as he is passed it and only gets in the road on the field. I hate qld but if this grub is picked and made captain again then i don't care who wins. Grub of the highest order. He fears our side and knows that we are getting in the road of his elusive premiership which we all know he will never get. Not a shot at you Sharkies but a shot at him. He needs to shut his mouth and show some humility. Ive had this opinion of him for well over a year now.