'He needs to be sent': DCE fumes at ref as Cam Murray, Jeremiah Nanai sin binned after brawl spills over sideline
Queensland and NSW were left a man down heading into half-time in the State of Origin decider after a melee broke out following a Bradman Best linebreak.
With the scoreboard still at 0-0, a near NSW break turned into an error by Best, which paved way for a head-to-head battle between Jarome Luai and Daly Cherry Evans, with emotions then boiling over.
Maroons skipper Cherry-Evans launched into the face of the NSW No.6 before teammates came piling over the sideline.
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"I'm not sure what clenched, but no-one is stupid enough to throw one," Andrew Johns said on Nine.
"Just let them play. There's a bit of push and shove. Just let them play. Don't spoil it by sending anyone to the bin please."
Cameron Murray came off the bench to get in on a melee that spilled over the sidelines. Nine
Referee Ashley Klein warned on-field captains Cherry-Evans and Isaah Yeo to dismiss any brewing clashes as Jeremiah Nanai and Cameron Murray were sent to the bin.
Cherry-Evans and Luai were fortunate not to be pinged for instigating the clash, as referee Ashley Klein named Jeremiah Nanai as the perpetrator for his role in igniting tensions when he was the third man in.
"I've let a few things go... There's a level of stuff going on, but that's unacceptable," Klein told Cherry-Evans.
"[Cameron Murray] needs to be sent. That's unacceptable at the park on the weekend" Cherry-Evans pleaded with Klein, after watching Murray's involvement on the big screen.
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Cameron Murray is ordered to the sin bin for joining a melee from the bench. Nine
Murray, who was not on the field at the time of the incident, was lucky to escape a send-off for his input in the dispute, with Klein issuing the lock 10 minutes in the sin bin.
In a further twist it was later revealed that Haumole Olakau'atu, a non playing NSW reserve, was evicted from the field for his role in the brawl after he got off the bench to lend a hand.
Consequently, NSW were able to choose who left the field of play to make it 12 on 12, with debutant Mitch Barnett removed from the action.
"That's a kick in the guts for Mitch Barnett," Cameron Smith said.
"He's got his hands up in the air going, 'I've done nothing'."
The response from Klein left Johns frustrated, with the NSW great labelling the incident the "biggest overreaction in Origin history."
"No. No, no, no. I think Jarome instigated that. Should never be sin-binned for that. Should never be sin-binned for that," Johns said.
Post-game, Blues coach Michael Maguire defended Murray for his actions.
"It is what it is," he said.
"When you look at that moment, Cam Murray's one of the nicest blokes in the game and he plays the game to perfection. He obviously went down there because he cared for one of his teammates and the call was made.
"I've known Cam Murray for a long time and I'd never have thought he would jump into something like that, but it just goes to show what the group means to each other. He was sent and the boys had to dig deep and away they went."
