NRL: Elliott Whitehead explains what inspired the Canberra Raiders' Ashes try celebration, Piers Morgan response

The Raiders had the league community buzzing in Friday night's game against St George Illawarra after their clever recreation of Alex Carey's controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow in the second Ashes Test.

The cheeky theatrics raised $10,000 for a gambling company's July promotion to bring back the glory days of post-try celebrations, with money donated for the ongoing care of Nathan Stapleton and Daniel Anderson.

England sports fans weren't as pleased with Whitehead's participation though, especially playing the role of countryman Bairstow, with British media figure Piers Morgan calling the Raiders second-rower a "closet Australian" for his "shameful" actions.

Whitehead explained to UK outlet The Mirror the try celebration was born from some locker-room banter that led to a few wagers.

"I had a few bets with a few of the boys over the Ashes, and after Jonny was out last week, they said if we (England) end up losing the Test, let's do that for our celebration," Whitehead said.

"The boys all got around it - and it went down pretty well as I see Piers Morgan wasn't too happy about it. At least he knows who I am now.

"I don't really know Jonny, but there was nothing in it. It was just a bit of fun to help raise some money."

Whitehead has proudly represented England in 23 Tests in rugby league, and also has other live bets with Canberra hooker Zac Woolford, centre Jarrod Croker and one other unknown Raider during the Ashes series.

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"I've tried getting one up on some of the Canberra boys," Whitehead said.

"I had a bet with three of them, including Zac Woolford and Jarrod Croker, that for every Test England won they'd owe me a case of beer and vice versa."

The bet has left Whitehead owing three cases of beer to teammates in the Ashes series, currently led by Australia 2-1.

The Raiders released training vision on their Twitter account on Monday, showing how players rehearsed the try celebration earlier in the week before executing it following Jordan Rapana's try in their 36-26 win over the Dragons.

In the video, Raiders dummy-half Tom Starling was heard making a foreboding comment at training about Whitehead's inclusion in the comical scene: "They'll hate ya, but it'll be funny."

Whitehead spoke to English media following the round 19 game while NRL players were boycotting Australian media as part of action by the Rugby League Players' Association, frustrated at a negotiation stalemate over the new collective bargaining agreement.