'Is it because he runs the game?': Footy legend Cameron Smith hits back at trolls after the NRL controversially handed his wife Barbara a $15,000 ring

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Melbourne Storm star Cameron Smith has called out trolls for targeting his wife Barbara  after she was given a $15,000 ring by the NRL 

Melbourne Storm star Cameron Smith has called out trolls for targeting his wife after she was given a $15,000 ring by the NRL, amid backlash over his controversial 'ear-pulling' incident.

The Storm captain said trolls were carrying out a 'personal attack' on his family after the NRL gave his wife Barbara the valuable gift to celebrate his 400th game. 

Fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment over the extravagant present. 

'Yeah you can be Cameron Smith and almost rip a dudes ear off, hey Todd Greenberg and you give his wife gets a $16k ring,' one fan wrote. 

'Why did you buy Cameron Smith's wife a ring? Is it because he runs the game?' one replied to the NRL.

'Instead of buying Cameron Smith's wife a $15,000 diamond ring, (Todd) Greenberg could send 10 TVs over to Papua New Guinea and footballs for the PNG kids to kick around!' wrote another.

Smith has also broken his silence over video of him appearing to pull the ears of Canberra Raiders rookie Bailey Simonsson during a game last month. 

But Smith denied claims he deliberately tried to hurt the winger. 

'It's quite clear from the vision that I have got a hold of his jersey,' Smith said. 

Fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment after Cameron Smith's wife Barbara was given a $15,000 diamond ring from the NRL 

'I was disappointed with the coverage but again that's out of my control, but for whatever reason it was portrayed that way.

'They painted a picture that I went in and grabbed the bloke's ear, but I didn't go anywhere near his ear.

'I wasn't trying to do that at all, I was trying to buy some time for myself and the defensive side to hold him down on the ground and I grabbed him by the jersey.

'My hands ended up around his head, absolutely, I can't deny that, but I didn't go anywhere near his ear and I wasn't trying to squeeze his temples. I was trying to control him on the ground and people got a bit upset.'

The 36-year-old took the opportunity to hit back at trolls vilifying his family over the NRL's gift for his wife.  

'Criticism is part of the game. I signed up to be an NRL player. To bring in personal attacks and family, that's not on. I'm not just saying that about myself. That's any athlete's family. I just think that's off-limits,' he said. 

The Storm captain said his family received backlash after the NRL gave Barbara the diamond ring to celebrate his 400th game

'My wife is alright. It's not the first time she's been in a paper. The thing that upset me most is she is a wife or partner who has tried her very best to stay out of the news. She's never wanted any part of being involved in the media.

'But somehow she's found herself dragged into it. She's OK. She's a strong woman. Unfortunately, it's a by-product of my job.' 

The NRL had previously announced Smith would be receiving a Waterford crystal football in recognition of his milestone, but there was no public mention of a ring for his wife until it was revealed in the media. 

Smith, 36, who is widely considered one of the best players to ever play rugby league, previously took home $150,000 from a testimonial match in 2018. 

Todd Greenberg, chief executive of the NRL, defended the present to Mrs Smith, saying the wives of rugby stars play a vital supporting role for players.

Melbourne Storm star Cameron Smith complained to a referee after he was penalised for pulling the ears of Canberra Raiders player Bailey Simonsson (pictured)

'Our biggest stars wouldn't be where they are today without the women in their lives,' Mr Greenberg said. 

Speaking with 2GB's Alan Jones last month, Mr Greenberg said the ring was never a secret. 

'The only person this was a secret from was Barb herself because we wanted to give her a surprise,' he said.

The NRL's gift to Mrs Smith prompted a public backlash. 

'Can't Cameron Smith afford to buy his wife a ring with those multiple contracts he's signed?' one Twitter user said.

'I'm pretty sure the wives of our wonderful Military services deserve more recognition for the support & sacrifices they give & their families give to their husbands who serve Our Country!' another said on Facebook.

Smith was heavily criticised last month after questioning referee Ben Cummins over a penalty during the Storm's home clash with the Raiders.

'I just want some clarification on what that penalty was for there?' Smith asked Cummins after he was pinged for pulling the ears.

'Rubbish on the face mate, and it was you,' Cummins told Smith.

Smith laughed at the explanation and requested further clarification by asking him: 'Rubbish on the face?'

Cummins responded 'yeah', to which an incredulous Smith said 'okay, no worries'. 

Footy fans took to social media to slam Smith for his actions, calling him an 'absolute grub' and a 'cheat'.

Smith and his Storm teammates have previously been accused of using dirty tactics in tackles including wrestling opponents to slow the play-the-ball down

'Cameron Smith does this all the time and gets away with it. Good on you Ben Cummins for finally penalising him for it,' one person said.

Smith and his Storm teammates have previously been accused of using dirty tactics in tackles including wrestling opponents to slow down the play-the-ball.

Smith's coach Craig Bellamy defended his team after Sunday's game.

'It always seems to come up this time of year. The thing that disappoints me a bit (is) the guys who brought it up or are talking about it are saying we do this or that at training,' Bellamy said.

'I've never seen those guys at (our) training, so how do they know what we're doing at training? We practice this and we practice that... but they have never been to training so I don't know how they know that. 

'The insinuation is we look for shortcuts and exploit this and exploit that... they just work really hard. The whole squad don't get enough recognition for how hard they work.'

Footy fans took to social media to criticise Smith for his actions, calling him an 'absolute grub' and a 'cheat'