'Punches thrown': State of Origin erupts with old-fashioned biff
Punches were thrown between the Blues’ Payne Haas and Queensland’s Tino Fa'asuamaleaui as the second half of Origin II took an ugly turn on Wednesday night.
Both players were sent to the sin bin after the fracas, which led to a rolling melee and Haas’ jersey being ripped as the Blues took control of game two.
POOR FORM: State of Origin crowd's 'disgraceful' act during Last Post
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A shoving match broke out between the two sides, before tensions clearly escalated between Haas and Fa'asuamaleaui, with punches thrown between the pair.
Referee Gerard Sutton could be heard repeatedly warning Fa'asuamaleaui not to get involved in the fracas, as well as quickly determining that he and Haas would be sent to the sin-bin.
Both were given their marching orders in the 57th minute.
It was a rare sighting of aggression outside play, which drew a mixed reaction from fans.
Some were happy to see the return of the ‘biff’ in State of Origin.
Be a good stink big Payne and Tino #stateoforigin
— Jodan Perry (@Jodan_Perry) November 11, 2020
At the risk of sounding like someone that was born in the 80’s... how lovely to see some chinning going on out there!! #stateoforigin
— cody kaye (@Cody_KayeFOX) November 11, 2020
PUNCHES THROWN!🥊
SIN BINS!🤯
It has ERUPTED inside ANZ Stadium.#Origin LIVE and exclusive on @Channel9. #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/dBKZRQAtkI— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) November 11, 2020
Love a bit of Biff 👊🏽 #stateoforigin #cattledog
— Barrie McDermott 🏉 (@RLBarrieMc10) November 11, 2020
Fury over ‘disgraceful’ State of Origin crowd display
The NSW crowd has been blasted for ‘disrespecting’ the Last Post in the Remembrance Day ceremony ahead of State of Origin Game II.
As the NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons stood arm-in-arm on the field, all those in attendance were asked to observe a minute silence for the women and men who have served and died in the line of duty.
During the pause in the Last Post, played by Corporal John Byrne, members of the crowd began to make noise and cheer for their team.
Some fans may have been confused after the customary silence after the bugle plays.
🌹Lest We Forget.🌹 pic.twitter.com/TjyuNjayrT
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) November 11, 2020
This is despite both teams remaining unmoved still observing the minute silence.
The Last Post was completed after the moments silence.
But viewers took to social media to blast the fans in attendance that made noise during the ceremony.
🌹Lest We Forget.🌹 pic.twitter.com/TjyuNjayrT
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) November 11, 2020
And a good evening to absolutely everyone except the jerks who couldn’t shut up for even a minute #stateoforigin
— Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) November 11, 2020
one of the most poorly observed minutes of silence i can remember #origin
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) November 11, 2020
Wow... that (lack of) moment of silence in the last post was... not good... 😬 #stateoforigin
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) November 11, 2020
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