Northern Eagles captain Steve Menzies has issued a public apology to fans after his club's record National Rugby League (NRL) loss to the New Zealand Warriors last Sunday.
"In 201 first-grade matches for Manly and the Northern Eagles I have never felt so humiliated," Menzies wrote in a letter to fans
on the club's website following the 68-10 trouncing at Ericsson Stadium in Auckland.
"On behalf of all the players in the team I want to publicly apologise to our supporters, sponsors, families and past players for an unacceptable performance.
"As captain I accept responsibility for the display. I am as guilty as my team-mates for under-performing."
Menzies was at a loss to explain the 11-try drubbing.
"Our preparation and pre-match build-up was perfect. There was nothing to suggest we would be blown away like we were."
Eagles fans inundated the club's website yesterday expressing disgust at the limp performance.
"The Taleban have a better defence than the Eagles," one wrote.
Another disgruntled fan added: "They should be ashamed. They looked scared for their lives."
The cash-strapped club arrived in Auckland on a high after beating the Roosters in the previous round but the pressure is now on coach Peter Sharp, who last week denied speculation his position was under threat.
Chief executive Ian Thompson said Sharp was devastated by the huge loss.
"He knows the importance of on field credibility, it's shattering for him."
Former Manly legends attempted to stay positive.
"It's a rebuilding programme. I'm not going to be critical, I just want them to do their best," former Kangaroos captain Max Krilich told The Daily Telegraph newspaper.
"It was disappointing, they let the game slip away," former skipper Geoff Toovey said.
The Northern Eagles next face Canberra, who ran the Brisbane Broncos desperately close last weekend.
Their misery was compounded last night when forwards Grant Wooden and Danny Lima received three-match bans after entering early guilty pleas on careless tackle charges to the NRL judiciary.
Wooden also admitted a grade one dangerous throw.
- NZPA
