Queensland forward Nate Myles said a run-in with Paul Gallen that left the Maroon with a bruised and swollen face would not be the start of a running feud with the NSW skipper.
Gallen was charged with a grade two striking offence after he let fly with both fists after bringing Myles down with a swinging arm during the State of Origin opener.
Myles had earlier dived into a tackle on NSW fullback Jarryd Hayne with his head low.
Gallen was heard to say: “He’s been head butting series after series and twisting and twisting (legs)”.
“Nate’s been the dominant forward for the last two or three years. Someone had to stand up to him,” Gallen said after the 14-6 win by the Blues.
Myles was happy to leave the ugly incident on the field.
“It’s one of those things mate, it’s Origin football,” said Myles.
Asked about Gallen’s claims that he is a serial headbutter, Myles replied: “That’s just the way I tackle.”
“If you want to get a good tackle in you have to use a good technique but I’ll leave that up to the referees.
“To be honest, I’d leave it on the field, that’s Origin.
“He put a couple of good ones on me.”
Myles played down talk of a square up at Suncorp Stadium in the return game and said he didn’t think Gallen should have been sin binned.
“Not at all mate, how could he be in it?,” he said.
“Let’s be honest, everyone wants to see it (punches).
“I don’t think he should be charged.”
Gallen’s comments after the game suggested he may have been on a mission after one of Myles’s tackles concussed NSW hooker Robbie Farah last year.
Titans prop Myles was asked if it was the start of a feud which could erupt in Brisbane with the series on the line.
“I wouldn’t be back to beat him, he’s pretty good,” Myles said.
Queensland coach Mal Meninga said his players hadn’t lost any self belief after winning the second-half 6-0.
“We just got beaten to the punch, with our start. They won the ruck, won the play the ball,” said Meninga.
Meninga said he’d leave it up to officials to make a decision on what happened to Gallen.
“I guess in a normal game, 10 minutes in the bin maybe. It’s Origin, we’re comfortable with what happened,” Meninga said.
Meninga also defended the decision to play champion five-eighth Johnathan Thurston with a groin injury.
“He trained well yesterday. He struggled a little bit tonight but everyone was behind the decision,” Meninga said.
Sam Thaiday finished the game with a sizeable head cut.
Sideline Commentator
Guest
That's it, they'll let it go for now, but you wait until suncorp. Action will be taken. My call is the inclusion of Papalii of the bench to come in and (attempt) to give Gal a touch up. Suncorp will explode.
Roarsome
Guest
Look for a QLDer to spend 10 in the bin in Game II for something similar.
TBK
Guest
I just saw an interview with Myles re this incident and I've found a new found respect for him. He was concerned about it and was joking about the whole thing putting it down to "that's Origin".
Bluey
Guest
Don't let it fool you though. Being comfortable and letting it go are two very different things. The apparent motivator Meninga is, he will no doubt use this to fire up Qld.
RICHARDN
Guest
I thought NSW were the better side but for Johns and Daley to come out and actually praise Gallen for his foul play is not a good message to send to the kids watching the game. Of course he will get off with a tap on the wrist. Reminds me of Bloocker Roaches king hit on Bob LIndner for which he was not even cited.
Renegade
Guest
Myles (the guy that got hit) and Meninga (The Coach) were comfortable with how the incident panned out....looks like some Queenslanders actually have a bit of common sense :P If only the other 99% would actually try to use some logic!! Myles was happy to leave the ugly incident on the field. “It’s one of those things mate, it’s Origin football,” said Myles. “I guess in a normal game, 10 minutes in the bin maybe. It’s Origin, we’re comfortable with what happened,” Meninga said.