NRL great Reni Maitua has sensationally accused the New South Wales Rugby League of firing him from his community ambassador role because he slammed the Blues’ play in this year’s State of Origin series.
Maitua, 44, said he was dismissed in a phone call and told his services would no longer be required.
He’s revealed the stunning claim on the BTFU podcast he hosts with former teammate and Fox League presenter Braith Anasta.
Maitua has been vocal in his disapproval of Blues coach Laurie Daley throughout the series so far and has critiqued him for some selection decisions.
‘I got a call saying because of comments I’d made around the NSW side that I’d lost my role as an ambassador,’ Maitua said.
‘Someone who is my boss and someone who I consider a close friend – I am not going to hold this against him. He didn’t tell me. I was not warned.’
Reni Maitua (pictured) has claimed the NSWRL sacked him from his community ambassador role over his criticism of the NSW Blues
Maitua’s comments came as the Cockroaches were blown off the field in game two of the series (pictured)
‘From a legality point of view – I should’ve been more aware of what I was saying around the side but I never once criticised, I critiqued Laurie Daley’s performance.’
The former league star has been an integral part of the Deadly Choices program for several years, but has yet to be given a contract in 2026.
His role involved working with the homeless and Indigenous communities.
But despite allegedly losing his job, he isn’t backing down from his take on the Blues.
‘I don’t apologise for my comments. I do care about the fact I’ve been left out of doing the community work,’ Maitua said.
Anasta has torched the NSWRL for their decision to sever ties with his good mate.
‘I’ve been stronger [in my criticism] than you have,’ Anasta said.
‘No-one else has been sacked but they think Reni Maitua has done the wrong thing by us and the team, which you have nothing to do with.
‘It’s a disgrace. As a good mate it hurts me that they’ve done it. This shows exactly where the NSWRL are.’
Maitua (pictured right with former Queensland player Willie Tonga) has refused to back down from his take on the NSW team
Maitua said his comments about Laurie Daley (pictured) led to him being sacked
The NSWRL has since denied the allegations and said no-one in a position of authority has contacted Maitua to sack him.
‘No one at NSWRL with any authority to authorise contracts has had conversations with Reni Maitua with regards to a 2026 agreement,’ it said in a statement.
‘His last agreement with NSWRL expired last year so he did not have a contract to be an Ambassador this year.
‘In addition, the only people in our organisation who would speak with Reni about being involved in our programs – Kristian Heffernan and Gavin Badger – have both denied having the alleged conversation with him that he was no longer required.’
Maitua played 174 first-grade games in the NRL, across three stints for four teams.
He was also part of the 2004 Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs premiership-winning side with Anasta.
The NSWRL has been contacted for comment.
