Tensions boiled over during the State of Origin decider with Queensland's Jeremiah Nanai and New South Wales' Cameron Murray both sent to the sin-bin after a flare-up during a brutal first half.
Blues 19th man Haumole Olakau'atu was also dismissed from the bench and unable to partake in on-field celebrations with the Blues after conspicuously joining the fracas in his chinos and jacket.
The incident came after Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans and Blues half Jarome Luai squared up following Bradman Best's error, with the pair exchanging some open-palmed blows.
Nanai’s intervention then caused things to spill over onto Queensland's bench.
Murray came rushing into the melee with a host of other players, including Olakau'atu, also charging in as referee Ashley Klein was left to sort out the mess.
Queensland finished a physical and end-to-end first half up 2-0, courtesy of a late Valentine Holmes penalty goal. A late surge from the Blues delivered their first series win in Queensland since 2005, winning 14-4.
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Who was charged from the State of Origin fight?
In total, nine players were charged by the judiciary.
Olakau'atu and Murray will serve two-match bans should they take they early guilty pleas and three if they fight the charge and lose at the judiciary.
Although Nanai was sent to the sin-bin he will only pay 13% of his match fee for an early guilty plea and
Kurt Capewell was also cited twice but will only pay 7 per cent of his match fee - per charge - if he takes the early plea.
| PLAYER | CHARGE | GRADE | EARLY PLEA | GUILTY AT PANEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kurt Capewell | Dangerous throw | 1 | 7% of match fee | 10% of match fee |
| Kurt Capewell | Dangerous contact | 1 | 7% of match fee | 10% of match fee |
| Jeremiah Nanai | Contrary conduct | 2 | 13% of match fee | 20% of match fee |
| Brian To'o | Contrary conduct | 2 | 13% of match fee | 20% of match fee |
| Reuben Cotter | Contrary conduct | 2 | 13% of match fee | 20% of match fee |
| Cameron Murray | Contrary conduct | 3 | 2 matches | 3 matches |
| Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | Contrary conduct | 2 | 13% of match fee | 20% of match fee |
| Matt Burton | Contrary conduct | 1 | 7% of match fee | 10% of match fee |
| Felise Kaufusi | Contrary conduct | 1 | 7% of match fee | 10% of match fee |
| Haumole Olakau'atu | Contrary conduct | 3 | 2 matches | 3 matches |
| Payne Haas | Contrary conduct | 1 | 7% of match fee | 10% of match fee |
As Cherry-Evans and Luai had an off-ball altercation, Nanai steamed in and shoved the Blues playmaker in the back.
This led to referee Klein opting to send the Queensland forward to the sin bin as the 'third man in', thereby sparking the resulting scuffle.
Murray found himself in the bin after running into the flare-up from the bench.
Cherry-Evans argued he should be sent off for his involvement, but Klein opted for the 10-minute punishment instead.
As Murray was not on the field at the time of the incident, NSW had to remove an active player, with Mitch Barnett ultimately withdrawn.
Haumole Olakau'atu was not only not on the field but not even dressed in his game day uniform, being 19th man. He was banished from the sideline and unable to celebrate the win on-field with his teammates.
Haumole Olakau’atu forced to watch his teammates lift the shield from the tunnel after being dismissed for getting involved in the brawl before half time. Harsh?https://t.co/a4zdjwhSpq pic.twitter.com/zoHTZajn0W
— Michael Chammas (@MichaelChammas) July 17, 2024
