State of Origin sin bins: Haumole Olakau'atu and Cameron Murray facing 2-match bans for brawl

Joshua Mayne

Mark Molyneux

State of Origin sin bins: Haumole Olakau'atu and Cameron Murray facing 2-match bans for brawl image

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.

MORE: When was the last State of Origin series whitewash? | Which state has won more Origin series?

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.

PLAYERCHARGEGRADEEARLY PLEAGUILTY AT PANEL
Kurt CapewellDangerous throw17% of match fee10% of match fee
Kurt CapewellDangerous contact17% of match fee10% of match fee
Jeremiah NanaiContrary conduct213% of match fee20% of match fee
Brian To'oContrary conduct213% of match fee20% of match fee
Reuben CotterContrary conduct213% of match fee20% of match fee
Cameron MurrayContrary conduct32 matches3 matches
Hamiso Tabuai-FidowContrary conduct213% of match fee20% of match fee
Matt BurtonContrary conduct17% of match fee10% of match fee
Felise KaufusiContrary conduct17% of match fee10% of match fee
Haumole Olakau'atuContrary conduct32 matches3 matches
Payne HaasContrary conduct17% of match fee10% 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.

Joshua Mayne

Joshua Mayne Photo

Joshua Mayne is a content producer for The Sporting News Australia based in Sydney, Australia. He has previously worked as a newsreader at 2SER and journalist at Ministry of Sport. While Joshua’s main passions are football, rugby league, basketball and F1, he will watch any sport that's on. He is still waiting for Arsenal to win the Premier League again. 

 

Mark Molyneux

Mark Molyneux Photo

Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.