Well said Brendon haha

I had a feeling Bird and Hodges would be binned, but Tate no way.

Merrin’s face when he was about to punch tate was hilarious

too true.

I know what I’m talking about. The reason why the referees sin binned four players, especially two from each side, is because they are unsure or not confident on what the new rules mean. This is the first time a punch-up has occurred since the NRL’s crack down on it and so no ref knew to what extent the penalties should be for the players involved. They presumed that since Tate was being punched he was in the punch up so he had to go, and also that since Hodges and Bird were the most easily seen players getting involved, probably because they leaped in the air, that they should go for 10 as well.

I’m not saying punching is OK in junior rugby league. I’m totally against it. What you are saying is that an Origin game is just like playing a junior rugby league match. Which I hate to tell you, is totally different. Origin is all about passion. You’re playing for your state of birth against a opposition side who you have grown up to hate all your life. Junior rugby league is a game which kids play for fun and excercise, and for kids who want to be like they’r heroes.

I reckon the Channel 9 commentators were right about saying that the players were very resistant, they’re could have been a lot more fists being thrown instead it was jersey grabbing.

But I do agree that the whole situation would have been avoided if the refs penalised Gallen in the first place. But it is Origin, it is not like any other ordinary game

Another Cowboys fan here. Letting go of Segeyaro was a big mistake for the club. When he came onto the field he sped up the the play the balls which suited to Thurston and Bowen’s game. Payne wasn’t that good, and that was the reason why the Cowboys struggled to score points in the opening 20 minutes of matches. But no doubt he was a great hooker, and when he was at his best he was playing a similar style to that of Cam Smith back in the 2005 season. In the years to come after that, his service slowed down and it came to point where he knew he had to hang up the boots.

However I don’t think recruiting another hooker is where the Cowboys need to look. They got four already, which is a lot. Kostjasyn is too inconsistent for my liking, but he is improving in every game. Ray Thompson gets his chance this week to show what he is capable of. He is a great defender and has excellent footwork for a little man. He is not quite as built as Segeyaro, but he is still good.

I believe the Cowboys are lacking in attack this year, if anything. Which starts with the hooker, getting quick ball to the halves or whoever is at first receiver. I also think that Matty Bowen has had his quietest season yet. He hasn’t done much and especially at a crucial time as his contract is up at season’s end. But it’s not all Bowen’s fault, Thurston has been at bit down on his game but hopefully he can carry his brilliant Origin performance to club level against the Sharkies this weekend.

But I do agree with you, on that Sivila Havilli is a player of the future. Watched him in the NSW Cup match between Wests and Auckland and the 20 year old was a stand-out amongst the much older men. He is strongly built and also quick and versatile around the ruck. When is he off-contract????? The Cowboys should definitely be interested in him; but I don’t think we need a new hooker for another year yet

This article was too true. The hype was one of the greatest Origin hypes I have ever seen – maybe it was because NSW had there best chance in years to win and Origin series. I got a view point from both states.

The Queensland newspapers were all talking about revenge on Paul Gallen. They gave out a free poster of Gallen’s head on a dart board. With the title saying “Throw like a Gal.” All the Queenslanders wanted was someone to punch Gal, not caring about a sent off. Instead all Gal copped all match was booing reception and a push in the back by Brent Tate (who got sin-binned for that – outrageous!)

In New South Wales, the papers on the eve of the match where whinging about how they have never won a penalty count. And how they wish that refs would stop being biased. This article was completely biased as the NSW fans whinged about how the refs should be more fair. I will admit I haven’t paid much attention in the penalties, but tonight I kept a close eye and only one penalty should not have been given and that was one player may have been unfairly done by lying in the ruck, but NSW still lost the penalty count 8-5.

Yep, totally agree with this. I thought the biff was banned. It was only in Origin and the the next round game following in the Parra-Roosters game, with I think Boyd Cordner throwing two punches to the head and not even being put on report, that someone who punched a bloke in the head wasn’t sin-binned, let alone sent off.

But when kids or adults or the players sign a contract, they know they are putting there selves at risk to being hit by a shoulder without looking or copping one right on the chin. It’s a big part of the game; especially Origin. Hopefully Dave Smith wakes up from his snooze on daydream island and sorts this issue out right away. Or Origin will turn into just like any other NRL game you see every week.

All the famous Origin moments come from brawls or aggression. Lewis v Geyer, Gordy tallis’ tackle on Hodgson, the king hit on Steve Price, and most recently Paul Gallen’s shot on Nate Myles. From now on it would be: “remember when so-and-so grabbed that guys jersey. wow! He should have been sent off, instead of sin binned I reckon!” <– I don't think I want that.

Agreed. The looks on Tate, Hodges and Bird’s faces was absolutely clueless and surprised; they use to get away with it, now with these new rules it’s a lot harder

Tate had every right to push Gallen off the player. The refs were screaming at him to move and he took his time. Plus it’s Origin after all, not just any other game of NRL.

The choice to sin bin the players was made by the video ref. If you heard Shayne Hayne talk to Brent Tate when he sent him, he said the video review has been seen, meaning that the video refs had some part in the sin bins.

And totally agreed that Idris should be replaced by Merritt. He is inform and had a cracker of a game in both attack and defence against the Storm on Monday night, but it will all depend if Dugan gets to keep his fullback position he wasn’t too bad tonight only dropping one high ball and looked dangerous on his feet. If Dugan stays, Hayne will go to wing; if Dugan gets dropped, Idris should definitely be considered an option, however where do you put Josh Morris and Michael Jennings?

I think everyone takes Origin seriously more than any other sport at the moment, which is not an international event. It gets much more viewers worldwide than Super Rugby, its equivalent competition, if you are saying it from a Rugby Union point of view. And also I believe brawls are better than watching a player from each side kick penalty goals.

Agreed. Hodges, excpet from Merrin, was the only player who probably could have sin binned as he was third man in but there is no excuse for Bird and Tate also going for 10

I agree with you. The shoulder charge is worse in ways to the biff. Both however are iconic and unique to the game and should not have been scraped. This shows that the Commission are getting real soft and that is NOT the rugby league way. I miss David Gallop, he would not have let this happen.

And u said the broncos don’t have a chance

yeh I was a bit nervous on putting Leon Bott down but thought he was an electrifying player for Brissy also Tame Tupou who played really for the Broncos was hard done by too

BANI GET OUT! Yes I agree the Cowboys played horribly, but hopefully that will be the worst game of the season. Next up is the Storm, so hopefully home ground advantage will help the Cowboys upset the Storm and yes the Cowboy’s selectors have heard EVERYONE’S call and Kalifa Fai Loa is IN and Bani is OUT! YES!

Also watch young gun James Segeyaro who will be on debut for North Queensland. An upcoming star who played the best in the Cowboys side. He should make impact at hooker when he replaces Aaron Payne so really exciting to see him have a start.

Going back to the Cowboys horror night, a LOT of errors denied them from certain try-scoring equations so really disappointing not to see them. Ray Thompson played really well in defence not so in attack. And good on Ash Graham who scored a double in his 100th match. And good fight back all together from the Cowboys to reduce the margin. Melbourne on Monday make us proud.

I have to say I disagree I prefer the new jersey’s. I think if the NRL team’s kept their old jersey it just get dull and boring and plus fans can easily identify their team because they would no who’s who. But I just judge a jersey by its cover.

Disagree totally Monday football probably has a better promise to stay in the game than it does to exit out.

Fox Sports are doing a fine job and I’m pretty sure that they don’t have the right to chose the fixture day its the NRL officials only.

And when you said the Rabbits and the Roosters played a Monday night game that attracted 10,000 that was a dodgy game because that year the Rabbits came third last and it was their home match and it was the worst conditions to play in too

Sorry forgot to put him on the list, but was looking for bigger names

Dugan and Orford out for Sharkies clash!

The should make the game more interesting

Bani’s always the weakest Cowboy, the young guns such as Tupou, Tamou and Thompson, played well but I think Tamou was the best of the lot. He scored a try and was tremendous in defence, while Thompson made a lot of errors. Tupou made absolute silly errors eg: Penalty in the 1st minute and dummy-half knock-on in the dying minutes of the game.

Ashton Sims was the best of the forwards, made truck loads of tackles and some of those tackles were great hits

yeh but a few minor injuries. I saw last night Scott Bolton limping off the field, Vossy said before the full-time buzzer that Johnson was finding it hard to walk. Scotty also felt a slight pain, but no concerns hopefully. Bowen how about his chip over Hoffman that should of been awarded 9 times out of ten

Well NF, I think Ray Thompson knows he has to perform to his best every match because the Cowboys do have back-up in Matt Bowen, Aaron Payne, Michael Morgan and Ben Jones so I don’t think he will play out the full 24 games (that answers half of question).

The other part is that they pick all these great talented players who can play every other position except in the halves and they lost Grant Rovelli, but honestly he played terrible for the Cowboys, so I guess to stop underachieving they have to find players who can’t suit the role of five-eighth.

As you said about how we lost talent from the U20’s well we still have players who survived through the whole thing like: James Segeyaro, Will Tupou, Michael Morgan and James Tamou, but you going to have to remind me of what talented U20’s
players we lost because I can’t recall.

And to answer the last statement. This season we have the two Aussie Test wingers who played in the last 4 nations and, including those two, 7 players all up have experienced and played representative footy. So if they don’t make the 8, there will be only one excuse, and the selectors will have noted down, get a talented player who can back Thurston in the halves because pulls his hair out every match because his halves mate just can’t listen or perform to Thursty’s impression.

So if you get anything out of this whole comment is that we, the Cowboys, can win the comp if they have a proper talented five-eighth by Thurston’s side.

Oikee your right Toyota Cup is a great pre-match entertainer