League: Bellamy calls for talks on racism

NSW coach Craig Bellamy. Photo / Getty Images

New South Wales coach Craig Bellamy has called on Timana Tahu, Andrew Johns and Greg Inglis to talk through the racial vilification issue that has engulfed the Blues' camp for the second State of Origin match.

The Blues' preparations for Wednesday's match have been badly disrupted after Tahu walked out on Friday, upset by the slur used by assistant coach Johns about Queensland centre Inglis while addressing NSW players.

A remorseful Johns quit his team role on Saturday, acknowledging his culpability and issuing a public apology.

Tahu informed Bellamy he was deeply offended and had to quit the camp to make a stand against racism.

Yesterday, speaking about the drama for the first time, Bellamy said he felt for all three men and said they needed to get together and clear the air.

"I honestly believe the best way out of this ... is for those three guys to get together and make clear what their feelings are and the hurt they've felt through this.

"And hopefully they can get on with their lives from there," Bellamy said.

"It would be great if T and Joey got together. And I think I'd like to think in a few days' time, perhaps Joey could talk to Greg as well.

"Certainly there's been no winners out of this. It's caused a lot of hurt to everyone involved.

"They're all hurt - and I'm hurting for the three of them.

"But it's important to try and resolve this thing through those three guys getting together.

"They're the ones who have got to work through the issue. It's a terrible situation for everyone."

Queensland coach Mal Meninga has also spoken out on the issue, saying Inglis is hurt and angry over being the subject of the racial slur.

Inglis, who broke camp on Thursday to attend a family funeral, was understood to be shaken by the news.

"He's hurt by it, particularly with the [standing of the] person who has made the comment," said Meninga yesterday.

"He's a bit angry at the moment but he'll deal with the issue."

Meninga said Inglis' family and Queensland teammates had rallied around him since the story broke but the remark had cut a player who'd been working to stamp out racism in the code.

"We don't condone the current happenings in our game. Racial vilification is a no-no as far as we're concerned," said Meninga.

"I'm disappointed and hurt by it all. Talking on behalf of Greg in particular, he's hurt and disappointed by it all, but he understands the team's behind him.

"They're rallying in and he's had a lot of support from family and friends over the past 24 hours as well."

As far as Meninga knew, Johns had not yet contacted Inglis to apologise to him, but agrees with Bellamy that it must happen.

The Nine Network, Johns' employer, issued a statement saying it wouldn't sack the television presenter as a result of comments made while in Origin camp.

AAP