Queensland and New South Wales have reminded everyone that there is no love lost between the two states as tensions boiled over during State of Origin II at the MCG.
After the Blues’ blinding start to the game that saw them open up a 34-0 lead at halftime, the Maroons came out with a point to prove.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sparks fly in State of Origin brawl.
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But it was still NSW who were the aggressors, as Stephen Crichton ignited hostilities when he wrapped Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans in a headlock early in the second half.
“He might find himself in a bit of trouble from the match review committee there,” Cameron Smith said.
The two sides came to blows before being separated, at which point referee Ashely Klein stepped in to warn both captains.
But he was effectively helpless when sparks flew just minutes later.
Blues star Liam Martin couldn’t help but antagonise Jayden Su’a when the Queensland centre dropped the ball in a tackle.
It was never going to take much to set the two teams off again, so when Martin rubbed Su’a’s head after the mistake, it was on again.
Blues players rushed in from their line to remonstrate with the Maroons, who were staunch in their defence of Su’a.
“The tension is boiling over. Martin wanted to make sure Queensland knew all about that error,” Matt Thompson said.
“There’s a decider coming up in Queensland, and the Blues are not going to take a backward step.”
Smith added: “Look at them rush in, the Blues — they know how big a moment that is.”
When the dust settled once again, Klein imposed himself in an attempt to settle hostilities, sending Martin to the sin bin.
But it didn’t impress NRL greats Smith and Andrew Johns, who couldn’t believe Martin was sent to the bin for that, but not for a lifting tackle in the first half.
“So, we’ve seen grapples, we’ve seen (tackles) picking players up and dumping them, we’ve seen Latrell chin someone — but you rub someone’s head…” Johns said before Smith finished his sentence.
“…and you go to the bin for that — come on!” Smith added.
Latrell Mitchell had also been spared for a high hit early in the second half.
Klein then made Pat Carrigan follow Martin to the bin.