Queensland player Sam Thaiday in action during Queensland’s defeat over New South Wales in the 2nd State of Origin match between against New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Wednesday, June 16, 2010. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Queensland’s Origin victory last night sealed the fifth consecutive series win for the cane toads. But the game also involved numerous brawls between players. So is all this fighting good or bad for the game?
Phil Gould had several names for it – mêlée, fracas, brouhaha. Yes, last night certainly had Gould pulling out the thesaurus on several occasions.
A number of fierce grapple tackles and high tackles from both sides stirred emotions on the field. Though tensions finally reached boiling point for Queensland, when in the 25th minute, a spear tackle on Darius Boyd saw an onslaught of players rushing in, fists drawn. Shirts were torn and chins were bruised (as well as egos). But there was not one send off, despite a clear head-butt by O’Donnell on Dave Taylor, both of whom were the main ‘contenders’ in the ruckus, amongst the sea of red and blue.
Scott and Inglis soon got in on the act later in the match, after Inglis refused to let go of Scott’s jersey. This was just a downright stupid reason to brawl, but it nonetheless sparked another fight. Furthermore, because the fight was happening off the ball, play had to be stopped while the referee and other players tried to break it up. When brawls stop the game, surely this should not be tolerated?
Maybe brawls are just a feature of Origin, particularly during this game after the Tahu controversy in the Blues camp. But does that necessarily make it ok?
Origin is renowned for its brawls. In fact Origin has probably seen the most infamous punch-ups in League history, but in the modern game, is there really any room for it? Rules have been introduced, and referees (including video referees) have been under increasing pressure to enforce these rules. Players are in turn, now held to higher standards of game play. So how should we interpret the brawling we saw last night? Is this just needless violence or a statement of Origin pride?
All of last night’s incidents were brutal to watch. But didn’t the crowd enjoy them! Maybe that’s why so many people respond to the on field fighting which has become synonymous with Origin football.
Will it take someone to get seriously hurt before we stop condoning and encouraging ‘the biff’?
Rugby players are elite athletes and the Origin series showcases the best in the NRL. There are standards of fair play which are adhered to by most other contact sports, such as the AFL for instance, with fighting deemed unsportsmanlike and often swiftly addressed either through a penalty or suspension.
But NRL seems to be far more tolerant of on-field brawling and aggressive play. A look back at Jarryd Hayne’s acquittal at the judiciary for a head-butt is just one example of this. Whereas such behaviour, even less aggressive than head-butting is often met with harsh suspension in the AFL.
No-one wants the NRL to ‘go soft’ but maybe something more can be done, to find a happy middle ground. A little less biff and a little more football perhaps?
So I put it to you – The Roar – is all this brawling good or bad for the game?
Kim Hart
Guest
I am pretty sure that Scott gave Inglis a thump during the tackle. The refs let it go so Inglis held on to the jersey to start something.
Ken
Guest
Hey Hoy, I don't disagree with much of what you said and I'm not claiming that NSW were saints - only that an 8-2 penalty count and the zeitgeist that NSW were cheap shot merchants and QLD were angels didn't match the game I watched. BTW the Monaghan decision is a pet hate of mine but they are consistent. Should have been a penalty for voluntary tackle as far as I'm concerned but everyone knows that you'll be penalised if a blokes already on the ground you push him back in goal.
oikee
Guest
Kovana, i see where you are coming from, but to be honest mate, if you watch afl news, its all about injuries, players on streatchers and players returning from injury, watch the reports. And soccer, you only have to tap a player leg and he is out, last nite, the only injury in this great contest was a slight hamstring to cooper, who did a amazing walk along the touch-line. Ash Harison had a cut above his eye, so is talking this week off. I think you will find that, rugby league players heads are the most pretected item in rugby league, we love there ugly mugs. So, no matter how hard the game looks, how rough and brutal it my be, the sport has cleaned up the protection of the player. Now if you dont think you can cut it, we all can play other sport. I happened to play in the era when spear tackles were legal, believe me, compared to back then, the game is protective of our players. It still gets tense out there, so a few fisticuffs and what-not, happens. But it is still punished if you happen to do something stupid in the heat of battle. And lets be real, its battle, a brutal show of mussle and power plus pride and passion. I pay good money to see this contest, and rugby league does not dissapoint me. There was thousands of women in the crowd the other nite also, they seem just as, if not more bloodthirsty than the blokes. (bloodthirsty is not really wanting blood, its a figure of speach). But yeah, they love it, as long as nobody gets hurt to badly.
Tim
Guest
Was Paul Gallen put on report? Surely he would have quite a few points carried over from his disgraceful record. Another protected specious of K9.
kovana
Guest
I really am dissappointed with the on field and Off field behavior of some of these origin players. Why dont they take up boxing?. I found it really hard to watch the match,, cause all i wanted to do was watch the brawls.. Lol... But seriously in my own opinion. You cannot grow league with Brawls as the main attraction. Get that stuff out of professional sport. Young moms will not send their kids to brawl.. Why do you think socccer is taking off.,.. Less Injuries!
Rugby and Aussie Rules player
Guest
You obviously have never watched or played any code properly. "Rugby league is a full contact sport with heavy tackles and aggression where as AFL is about being agile and dainty..." an Aussie Rules player can be hit from anywhere on the park, bar the back or over the shoulder and you call it dainty. I have played for ARMY in Aussie Rules (Rover) and Local Rugby (breakaway) also played rep league (Lock) at school at different times and I would have to say all three games are as physical as each other. To be smashed with a good hip and shoulder as I come up from picking up the ball hurt just as much as being hit by a second or frontrow forward. As for the Biff, I was involved in numerous (particularly in ARMY v Navy games) and there were punches thrown both ways and when they landed they closed eyes shut and broke noses. So I would either put up, or shut up and crawl back in your little Western Sydney hole, safe in the knowledge that you couldn't play except from the comfort of your soft reclining arm chair.
Erasmus
Guest
Reg Reagan deserves another chance as a referee for the next State of Origin game. BRING BACK REG REAGAN! We already have biff in the game.
Karlos
Guest
Whilst a bit of biff is okay and as stated above, at least it is far more upfront and honest than the AFL knees in the back and pushing people over when tying their shoes up etc. However, the aggression and toughness in the sport of Rugby League does not need any promotion and should not be promoted as much as it is. Anyone watching the game can see it is tough. What needs promoting to those who do not understand the game is the cleverness, guile, skill, fitness, speed, endurance (some positions more than others) and mental strength required to play the game. Maybe Noddy could explain things at half time like he does on NRL tactics.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Chin and neck massage. Mountain Zorro, I love it. I can't wait to see that as a defence in the NRL judiciary!
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Good tip. 3D cinema viewings is a genius idea, and I can't believe they didn't think of it earlier. This is something that's definitely going to be a feature of future sports coverage.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Yes...due gooders.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Spot on with the Lockyer example.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
That's a good thing?
NY
Guest
Well you wouldn't want your child turning out like Paul Gallen now would you?
Mountain Zorro
Guest
Greg Inglis clung to the jersey because, in the tackle, Scott gave him a huge chin and neck massage with his forearm. Neither the cameras nor Phil G reverted far enough to see it replay. A spontaneous brawl is okay in such games. As others have remarked, mostly there are air swings and rarely is any lasting damage done. Let is flow.
Harvey the Scouser
Roar Guru
melanie, you made me commit a felony
Rin
Guest
Ya but that game was at 230 in the morning. If it was at 6pm it would have drawn around 2.5m i reckon. Rin
Mr Natural
Guest
Geoff Carr...You are an absolute disgrace and an embarrassment to NSW. Forget about your own self-interest and do the best thing by rugby league and step down. Your talking about reviewing things at the end of the series...hopefully this includes your role with NSWRL. Forget about having Izzy banned for the 3rd game and worry about your own backyard before you winge about what the Qlders are doing. We've been winning for the last 5 years for good reason...We don't have wankers like you ruining things. Back to Izzy...you want him out for the good of the game. What about Joey and his booze induced racist rants...Mate rest assured that's left a much bigger black (no pun intended) eye on the game than someone switching codes next year. Seriously I can understand why Gus Gould doesn't want to jump on this sinking ship while you're holding the wheel. You're a control freak who's got nothing good to offer NSW. Thanks for crapping on Qld at every opportunity...It inspires us. From someone who cares for the game a hell of a lot more than you.
MattS
Guest
I watched origin last night with about 300 others in 3D at the cinema. I can recommend it to any sports lover as the atmosphere from the patrons was amazing. As close to the ground as possible with better viewing! Remember with origin ratings, it is probably the most times fans in QLD & NSW are crowded into sports bars etc. You can't add them to TV ratings nor those households (and believe me here in QLD there are heaps) that host origin parties.
keeper11
Guest
Hey Answer... Heres an idea.. how about they hold SOO #3 at the not quite prime or family friendly time of : 4.30 am kickoff ??? we can talk about comaprative ratings then..