- In Origin III a big fight broke out between Queensland and NSW
Cameron Murray and Jeremiah Nanai were jailed as tempers flared in a first-half State of Origin clash that also took place off the touchline.
Queensland backrower Nanai caused a push and pull between his captain Daly Cherry-Evans and NSW playmaker Jarome Luai as he charged towards the pair, before Murray sensationally came off the bench to join the action.
Players streamed in from all directions – some even in suits, as if they weren’t part of the team – while television screens and chairs were scattered among the flying bodies.
Emotions were running high in a packed Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday after a tense first 20 minutes in which the opposition had yet to score a goal, with a strong defence dominating the game.
Cherry-Evans and Luai exchanged pleasantries off the ball, leading to a brawl. Nanai was given a 10-minute rest after pushing the pair to the sideline.
Murray, who had just been substituted, came off the bench and finished bottom of the pile.
“That’s unacceptable, he should be sent off,” Cherry-Evans told referee Ashley Klein after opting to let Murray sin rather than send him off.
The first half ended 2-0, with Valentine Holmes scoring the penalty after the whistle to break the deadlock.
Queensland are chasing a tenth win from their last 11 decisive games, but after being blown out in the second game in Melbourne, they came under early pressure against a fired-up NSW.
However, Five-Eighth’s Tom Dearden kept the home side intact by cutting Blues forward Liam Martin in half with a perfect tackle on his tryline.
Tensions rose during a thrilling State of Origin decider in Brisbane on Wednesday
Players from both teams were involved in a brawl on the bench at Suncorp Stadium
Referee Ashley Klein was unforgiving in his assessment of the incident
