Former NRL player Aaron Woods narrowly avoided what could have been an embarrassing public scenario, thanks to NSW Premier Chris Minns. Last week, Woods made a wager with Today host Karl Stefanovic—who hails from Queensland—where the loser of the State of Origin II match would have to do a nude run into the surf at Bondi Beach.
Initially, Woods confirmed he was ready to fulfil the bet, but Premier Minns swiftly warned him against such an action. During an appearance on Triple M Breakfast, Woods jokingly asked if the Premier wanted to join him in the nudie run. However, Minns’s reply was straightforward: “No – it’s highly illegal.” He added, tongue-in-cheek, that it was news to Woods, given the longstanding legality of public nudity.
Woods’s surprise at finding out nudie runs were illegal was teased by his former teammate Beau Ryan, who recalled Woods’s bewildered reaction: “But at the beach!" to which Ryan pointed out that beaches are still public spaces, making it possible for him to face arrest.
To help Woods out, Minns suggested that there are designated nude beaches in Sydney where he could carry out the bet without legal repercussions. Coincidentally, Minns is also engaged in a series-long bet with his Queensland counterpart David Crisafulli, in which the loser will be part of an advertising campaign promoting the winning state.
This bet follows a tumultuous week for Woods, who stirred controversy with his comments about Maroons coach Billy Slater, leading to a heated exchange that surprisingly involved the family of former Maroons coach Paul Green. Ultimately, the Maroons prevailed in the game, winning 26-24 in Perth, setting the stage for a decider in Sydney on July 9.
In the end, not only did Woods dodge a public scandal but he also provided a lighter moment in an otherwise intense week leading up to the series finale.