State of Origin Premier Chris Minns swipes Aaron Woods' bet plan after NSW Blues loss to Queensland Maroons
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After an intense, controversy-filled week, Aaron Woods might have been saved from a run-in with police by NSW Premier Chris Minns.
Former NSW Blues prop Woods and Queensland coach Billy Slater dominated the headlines in the build-up to Wednesday night's Origin Game 2.
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As everyone now knows, Woods kicked it all off when he tried to drum up a muted Origin period by labelling Slater a 'grub'.
The former fullback took his time before replying in kind on Game 2 eve, questioning Woods' place in the media and referencing mental health and former Maroons coach Paul Green in an in-depth swipe.
He then backtracked and apologised for mentioning Green's name on the morning of the game, which his Maroons would win 26-24.
Aaron Woods and NSW Premier Chris Minns. Photos: News Corp
Speaking on his Triple M radio show on Wednesday, Woods said he stood by his initial comments and felt Slater 'went over the boundary' with some of his remarks.
It has since come to light that Woods made a bet with Channel 9 identity Karl Stefanovic over the result of Game 2.
The punishment for the loser? A nude run into the surf at Bondi Beach.
Stefanovic had taken issue with Woods' comments on Slater and called his show to throw down the challenge, which the former Wests Tigers and Sharks forward accepted.
'Here's the bet, Woodsy,' Stefanovic said. 'The loser of the Origin game in Perth runs naked into the Bondi surf.'
Woods replied: 'We're on, Karlos.'
This is where Premier Minns steps in after he was a guest on the Triple M Breakfast show, Beau, Cat and Woodsy, on Thursday.
After Woods declared his intention to accept his punishment for the NSW defeat, he then said to the premier: 'Do you want to come do it with me?'
Minns swiftly replied: 'No, it's highly illegal.'
Billy Slater speaking ahead of Game 2. (Photo by)
Some of the Blues players react after the two-point loss. (Photo by)
Pushed on that comment Minns said: 'Yes, absolutely. Why is this news to you guys? It's been illegal forever.'
Beau Ryan added: 'Woodsy is genuinely shocked. He said 'why is this illegal?' I said you can't be nude in public.
'You could get arrested.'
Minns then said: 'We do have nude beaches in Sydney,' perhaps opening the door for a slight change to the bet.
Karl Stefanovic was very keen for Woods to go through with the punishment. Picture: Portia Large.
Minns himself has a bet going with Queensland premier David Crisafulli over the Origin series.
In the past the losing state has had to fly the other state flag over Sydney Harbour or Storey Bridge.
But this year it has gone a step further.
'The loser of the series has to do a tourism ad for the winner's state,' Minns said.
'It doesn't have to be good. I can rip Queensland, like 'the best thing about Queensland is it's next to NSW'.'
Originally published as 'Highly illegal': Premier Chris Minns swipes Aaron Woods' plan
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