Ex-Wallaby doubles down on ‘fresh off the boat’ comment as racism debate rages following training ground bust-up
Former Wallaby Sam Scott-Young has defended his "fresh off the boat" comment made towards giant lock Miles Amatosero
Former Wallaby Sam Scott-Young has defended his “fresh off the boat” comment made towards giant lock Miles Amatosero following a Waratahs training ground incident involving the 58-year-old’s son.
A video appeared online last week, showing Amatosero hitting 28-year-old Angus Scott-Young on the floor, leaving the Waratahs’ new signing with a fractured eye socket.
Rugby Australia and the Waratahs announced on Saturday that Amatosero has been suspended for four matches as a result.
A statement read: “Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs confirm that Miles Amatosero has been suspended for four games following a formal review into a training ground incident earlier this month,” read a statement from the governing body and the Sydney-based club on Saturday.
“Amatosero can reduce his suspension to two games upon successful completion of counselling and education programs. He will miss the Waratahs’ upcoming trial matches against the Reds and Brumbies.”
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“That is my son”
If the Waratahs thought that the suspension would be the end of the drama, they were sadly wrong. In fact, the video has led to plenty of debate online, with many former players and fans posting their opinions on the matter.
Former Gloucester and Scotland star Jim Hamilton claimed it was “common practice”, writing on X: “Young Alpha males in a contact sport scrapping is, common practice when teams (contact sports) actually care about what they do. The facial fracture is an un common outcome. Just don’t pick on the one that can actually punch properly.”
Former Wallabies star Drew Mitchell had the same thought process, saying: “If you’re going to post the footage, post the entire clip.. play on! Both players wanted it, one got it!!”
It was Mitchell’s comment that caught the attention of Scott-Young senior, however, who replied: “Hey Drew, keep your head out of this conversation. You’re [a] back. We don’t need your comment.
“It does get heated up in the engine room but no one punches someone on the ground and I would like to ask that fresh off the boat to call me if you’d like to fight real happy to accommodate no one does a rubber punch on anyone.
“I don’t give a much that is my son. I do give a lot that the fact is that the code is broken if you can do a rubbish hole like that that prick should be gone and I’m happy to take him out. Regards Sam Scott-Young.”
“This guy is a grub”
Clearly enraged by the incident, the former back-rower called on the powers that be to kick Amatosero out of the game, even suggesting that he’d happily challenge the 6’8″ lock to a charity boxing match to even the score.
“The bottom line is, this guy is a grub. He is a cheap shot merchant, and he should be sacked from the NSW Waratahs. Phil Waugh should kick him out of the game,” he continued.
“No one hits someone on the ground. That’s a grub shot. I agree with Danny Green, that should be in the same category as a cheap shot on the street.
“I have had it done to me, Angus has had it done to him, and you don’t forget those ones because they’re unfair, they’re cheap. It shows what kind of weak person he is.
“I want the guy out of the game. But I call him out to a charity fight any day of the week. Him and his father, I will take them both on.”
“It is not a racial slur, it is a joke.”
Referring back to the “fresh off the boat” comment made in his initial rant, the aggrieved father defended his comments, explaining that it’s simply a joke between people from Australia and New Zealand.
“No, I am certainly unaware of that,” he said. “It is not a racial slur, it is a joke. They call themselves that. I have great mates in New Zealand, a lot of Maori mates, ex-All Blacks.
“We all joke around. It is not a racial slur. It is a joke we have between Australia and New Zealand.”