{"id":385587,"date":"2024-04-16T23:57:51","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T23:57:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=385587"},"modified":"2024-04-17T02:04:21","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T02:04:21","slug":"lockyers-blunt-reply-to-bizarre-photo-criticism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=385587","title":{"rendered":"Lockyer's blunt reply to bizarre photo criticism"},"content":{"rendered":"

D\ufeffarren Lockyer<\/a> has responded to criticism of Jason Taumalolo<\/a> and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, after the North Queensland<\/a> pair were spotted posing for a photo with opposition players following a disappointing loss in round six.<\/p>\n

The star forwards were seen smiling and embracing Will Penisini and Joe Ofahengaue after the 27-20 defeat at the hands of Parramatta, earning the ire of some sections in the NRL community in the days that followed.<\/p>\n

Taumalolo, Penisini and Ofahengaue have all represented Tonga at the international level over the years and it was clear they all shared a bond outside of the on-field rivalry.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> 'Crazy' realisation as Fowler's rapid rise hit home<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Speaking on Wide World of Sports' QLDER<\/em><\/a>, the rugby league great shut down the criticism of the Cowboys enforcers, arguing it's a non-issue in the modern game.\ufeff<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

"They're allowed to be mates," Lockyer said.<\/p>\n

"Fan engagement and social media is such a big part of the game now, we are in the entertainment business. I can understand that there would be Cowboys players disappointed by a loss and if they see a player [doing that].<\/p>\n

"It's not a true smile, they are smiling for the photo to help the game promote itself.<\/p>\n

"I wouldn't read too much into it."<\/p>\n

While the images of players laughing and smiling in the moments following a loss can leave a sour taste in the mouth of some fans, there's a strong counter to that narrative.<\/p>\n

Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and<\/strong><\/em> 9Now<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The famous NRL trophy features Norm Provan and Arthur Summons sharing a hug on the field after a brutal grand final, \ufeffwhile players from State of Origin or international fixtures quite frequently swap jerseys after the full-time siren.<\/p>\n

\"St<\/p>\n

Wally Lewis acknowledged the moments with opposition players were some of his fondest memories from his decorated rugby league career.<\/p>\n

"It was a thrill and it comes out of the respect that you have for the guy that you are playing against," the Maroons great said.<\/p>\n

Lockyer admitted it was an 'odd look' to have Queensland players in NSW jerseys after the game or vice versa\ufeff, urging players to wait until after official presentations conclude.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

D\ufeffarren Lockyer has responded to criticism of Jason Taumalolo and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, after the North Queensland pair were spotted posing for a photo with opposition […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":385589,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/385587"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=385587"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/385587\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":385592,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/385587\/revisions\/385592"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/385589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=385587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=385587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=385587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}