Shattered Sam Thaiday has savaged Mal Meninga for seemingly ending his international rugby league career in cold-hearted fashion.
Thaiday took to Instagram to express his disgust at Meninga after the Kangaroos coach apparently failed to even given the 10-year Test stalwart the heads up that he wouldn’t be named in Australia’s 24-man World Cup squad on Tuesday.
“Aussie Aussie Aussie… No, No, No,” Thaiday posted after his omission.
“So it’s official – the end of my 2017 Rugby League year. Who would’ve thought this year would be the last time I played for both QLD and Australia.
“A bit of respect would’ve been nice… to at least receive a phone call and learn about selection that way instead of through a leaked report from the media on last night’s news.
“After dedicating more than 10 years wearing the Maroon and Green and Gold jersey, you’d expect to be treated with a bit more decency and respect. I guess not.
“Lucky I have one more year left at the @brisbanebroncos unless someone wants to shatter that dream too. What a rollercoaster of a year – Peace out 2017.”
Thaiday, who turned 32 in June, has played 32 Tests for Australia, as well as 29 State of Origin matches for Queensland since debuting in 2006.
The veteran enforcer featured in 10 series triumphs with the Maroons before being dumped by coach Kevin Walters after Queensland’s game-one loss to NSW in Brisbane this year.
Meninga’s cold shoulder to Thaiday comes on the same day that the Immortal expressed his interest in the vacant coaching job at the Gold Coast.
“I’d love to have a conversation with the Gold Coast Titans about their club and their culture,” Meninga told Triple M’s Dead Set Legends program.
“I’d love to have some sort of input but they haven’t done that (asked me).”