Queensland forward Sam Thaiday has landed himself in hot water after the Maroons’ State of Origin game 1 win, telling Nine commentator Brad Fittler the victory “was a bit like losing your virginity, it wasn’t very nice but we got the job done.”

Fittler was understandably taken aback, awkwardly telling Thaiday, “I’m not sure I’ve got a second question.”

The veteran player rushed to smooth over his comment after the Maroons’ 6-4 win at ANZ Stadium, and said the game was “tough, but always good to get off to a good start.”

Online social media users were quick to react to the lewd comments.

“Forget the game, the real talking point will be Sam THaiday’s reference to loss of virginity,” one user wrote on Twitter.

“Somewhere, Sam Thaiday’s first was watching that. Spare a thought for that person,” Sydney Morning Herald sports reporter Dominic Bossi tweeted.

“Did Thaiday just compare the win to losing your virginity? Vomit,” another user wrote.

However, not all were disgusted.

“Sam Thaiday just won analogy of the year,” TV and radio personality Dave Hughes said.

“Hopefully criticism will have no impact on Sam Thaiday. We need more characters in rugby league – desperately,” journalist Steve Mascord tweeted.