A spiteful State of Origin decider exploded after the half-time break with both Dane Gagai and Matt Burton sin-binned after a brawl which left the Blues star bloodied.
The incident occurred just a minute into the second half when Burton bowled over Kalyn Ponga behind the play as the Maroons attacked.
Gagai took exception to Burton’s actions and rushed over to knock the Panthers star to the turf, before Burton rushed back at him to square up.
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The Maroons veteran then unleashed on Burton with a series of right hooks which left the Blues centre bleeding from his mouth, with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui also attempting to put him in a headlock.
Match referee Ashley Klein gave both players their marching orders following an all-in brawl which threatened to explode.
Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans was left livid at the call, telling Klein, “They’ve been taking us out all series”.
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“I’m not going to argue. That is not acceptable,” Klein responded.
The Gagai-Burton clash followed what a was a brutal opening few minutes to the match which saw three players knocked out in the opening three minutes.