NSW back-rower Greg Bird believes he deserves an apology from the NRL after claiming he was mistakenly sin-binned for his role in the brawl which marred Queensland’s Origin II victory.
Bird was one of four players – along with teammate Trent Merrin and Maroons duo Justin Hodges and Brent Tate – to get sin-binned midway through the second half at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
But the Blues firebrand was adamant he did nothing wrong – claiming players needed clarification of the rules which were tightened after the brawl which took the gloss of NSW’s series-opening win.
“You abide by the rules and still get punished – I don’t understand,” Bird said.
“I ran in and tried to break the fight up and still somehow got ten in the bin for not even throwing a punch.
“I abide by the rule. I should have just unleashed, I would have got the same penalty.
“It’s frustrating when you abide by the rules and still get penalised.
“I just wish we could get some clear clarification on what we are and are not allowed to do.”
Asked what the referee told him as he was marched he said: “He said you ran in so you get ten in the bin.
“I hope someone comes out and explains the rules – an apology would be nice because I didn’t break the rules – plain and simple.”
Merrin, who started the brawl when he threw the first punch, put his actions down to the “heat of the moment.”
“It’s a game of footy, things get heated, it just happens,” Merrin said.
“That (getting sin-binned) was always going to happen, it’s a consequence. It was a heat of the moment thing, we just get on with game three now.”
Upfromdown
Guest
SOO will likely be the ruin of rugby league. It devalues the International game, plays havoc with the premiership, it has different rules/interpretations and creates bad press through negativity and the moaning of players, coaches and supporters. It will live on but will stifle the growth of the game. Luckily rugby union has appeal issues, the bees soccer players play overseas and the AFLapoear to arrogant (ie. see drug policy) to take the advantages they should.
Obbig
Guest
Mate forget that. That is really a cheap shot at the bloke. Pinky!
fishes
Guest
Tate and Bird should not have been binned. It makes a joke out of our biggest spectacle. I hope the self-righteous nanny brigade and the mum's are happy- you can go back to not watching the game now.
Bulldog
Guest
Always whining from NSW players... Brent Tate was the one hard done by but does he demand as apology NO. NSW has a culture problem which revolved around Gallen and Bird. If they bitched and moaned less and just got on with it they would be better off.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
Yep the wine glass destroyer prefers to hit the opposite sex
oikee
Guest
No worries Birdy, you will get a apology straight after Myles get one from Gallen. Nothing to see here, move on.
Gareth
Roar Pro
I want an apology from the NRL for letting a thug like Greg Bird continue to ply his trade. He's got no respect for women, no respect for his mates, and clearly no respect for himself if he's willing to speak this dribble publicly.
rl
Guest
"I should have just unleashed, I would have got the same penalty." No, being fourth in and throwing a punch would earn you at least 10 minutes (or possibly a send-off) AND a suspension. (And the same applies to Hodges - he was third in, and he tried a sneaky forearm in the clinch just before Bird collected him.) "I ran in and tried to break the fight up". Well, if that is the case, why did you run to Hodges when you know that would inflame the situation, instead of running to placate your team mate? Liar AND a numb nut. And he wants an apology? Birdy, I want an apology from you for being so STUPID it has given me a headache just thinking about it.
Liatrevlis
Guest
Birdy want a wine glass !!!
WQ
Guest
I agree if the game had been reffed fairly QLD would have won by 50 points!
Red Kev
Guest
I feel sorry for Bird even as a queenslander. He clearly isn't the sharpest tool in the shed so how can he understand such odd rulings. I mean he's eye-gouged and bitten guys before and not even been penalised, and now he gets 10 in the bin for trying to break up a fight. Just go back to being a grub Greg, leave the good samaritan nonsense alone, it doesn't pay.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Probably since the line counts. It always has. If you have a foot on the sideline, you are out, if the ball is on the try line, try.
WQ
Guest
If he feels he needs an apology, then Brent Tate should get compensation!!!!!!!!!!
Jim oconnell
Guest
We've all seen some atrocious refereeing even in these SOO games, the pinnacle of the game but when their poor performance dictates the outcome as much as last night we are put into a position where you want to change the channel. Now aside from the not square markers not penalised to the constant off side, to the only one team stripped, look at the try from ingles, he is famous for scoring with his cock a few years ago now all he needs to do is look at the line to be awarded a try, since when do tries get awarded when the ball doesn't cross the line ???? This game was only a spectacle highlighting what a massively inept, one sided, near corrupt performance the refs had.
Big Time
Guest
Merrin and hodges should have been only ones. Hodges was 3rd in and threw a punch so had to go (Jennings last year). Tate and Bird though???? Hope the nobodies who kicked up a stink last time are happy. That was a disgrace.
Peaches
Guest
Bird is right. What's he suppose to do? Jennings was lucky not to go in his place. Merrin obviously had enough of the ridiculous officiating that went on. Qld were interferring with the markers all night. They were very active around the play-the-ball all night with cheap crap. The rub of the green I don't think has fallen the Blues way in a long time. Have a look back at the controversial tries in recent times and every single one has favoured Queensland. I'm honestly not one to talk about a referees performance but they were ordinary. Queensland were strong and the Blues poor, but the referees were poorer again. No side could comeback after the first 20 minutes of almost no ball.