New South Wales Blues coach Brad Fittler has been left frustrated over referee Ashley Klein’s decision to sin-bin Matt Burton after he was attacked by two Queensland players.
A spiteful State of Origin decider exploded after the half-time break with both Dane Gagai and Burton sin-binned after a brawl which left the Blues star bleeding from his mouth.
The incident occurred just a minute into the second half when Burton bowled over Kalyn Ponga behind the play as the Maroons attacked.
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Gagai took exception to Burton’s actions and rushed over to knock the Bulldogs playmaker to the turf, before Burton rushed back at him to square up.
The Maroons veteran then unleashed on Burton with a series of right hooks which left the Blues centre bleeding from his mouth, with Burton also swinging back himself before being dragged to the turf in a headlock by Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
Klein awarded the Blues a penalty for Gagai’s initial push on Burton before giving both players their marching orders following what turned into an all-in brawl, but allowed Fa’asuamaleaui to remain on the field.
It was a call that left both Fittler and Blues skipper James Tedesco scratching their heads after the match.
“At the end of the day, he didn’t initiate it, Burto, he’s not going to fight anyone,” Fittler told reporters.
“We got the penalty, he got belted and (put) in a headlock and we walk out with one player down each, a tad ridiculous but it is what it is.”
“Yeah, I thought so,” Tedesco replied when asked if Fa’asuamaleaui should’ve also have got his marching orders.
“I didn’t see if he actually threw a punch, but I thought if he did, he should’ve been sin-binned, as well. That’s what (the referee) said; Gagai was sin-binned because he threw punches.”
“Well, there was one each way. Dane Gagai definitely throws one. They’re both throwing the haymakers,” Maroons great Cameron Smith said on Nine’s coverage when the incident occurred.
“Both have got to go off, they just can’t send one off,” Blues icon Andrew Johns added.
Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans was left livid at the call, telling Klein the Blues had been taking he and his teammates out “all series”.
“Mate, all game and all series they have been taking us out off the ball, all series. What did you expect to happen? They can’t keep doing that shit,” he told the referee.
“Daly, I’m not going to argue. What has just happened is not acceptable. Speak to the guys there (and say) we’re not going to cop it for the rest of the game,” Klein responded.
All three players avoided suspensions for their involvement in the fracas, with Gagai and Burton handed grade-two striking charges, while Fa’asuamaleaui was given a grade-one dangerous-contact charge. All of them copped fines.
The Titans enforcer also received a grade-two careless high-tackle charge after collecting Burton in the head with a swinging right arm in the first half, with that charge also attracting a fine.