'Always seems to happen': Tempers flare inside two minutes as U19s Origin match erupts
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It didn't take long for sparks to fly in the men's U19s State of Origin clash on Thursday night, with the young guns embroiled in a melee after just two minutes.
In front of a solid crowd at Sunshine Coast Stadium, lock-forward Jordan Uta flew out of the NSW defensive line to put a shot on and force an error from Queensland.
Uta got it wrong and was immediately penalised for failing to wrap his arms, before the Maroons players took exception and from there, it was immediate chaos.
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"This is a real flash point, the referee has a job on his hands," lead caller Brenton Speed said on the Nine broadcast.
"You don't want to throw any punches or you will be sitting down."
Jordan Uta's wild shot sparks a melee in the U19s Origin game Nine
As the two teams started to separate, former Blues skipper Brad Fittler admitted that things always tend to "boil over" in these under-age fixtures.
"There's been a lot of testosterone early in this game, a little bit too much then," he said.
"This is what you don't want, for it to boil over so early.
"They're 19 years old, this always seems to happen."
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Both captains - halfbacks Mitchell Woods and Coby Black - were given official warnings from Liam Kennedy, who told them he wouldn't hesitate to sin bin players.
Kennedy followed through on his threat and it was Uta who was given his marching orders, again penalised for a shoulder charge.
"He's not learning his lesson," Fittler said.
Phil Gould lamented the actions of the Canberra Raiders youngster.
"He has done it three times now - this might be more than a caution," he said. .
"That's the second time, exactly the same thing."
Queensland opened the scoring through Cooper Bai - the son of Storm great Marcus - after 10 minutes of action, before back-rower Zac Garton extended the lead.
