After game two of State of Origin, there has been plenty of talk from rugby league media about the sin binning of four players after a brawl in the second half.
Brent Tate, Justin Hodges, Greg Bird and Trent Merrin all received 10 in the bin after being part of the bust up between both sides.
Everyone knew before the game if anyone threw a punch or got involved in a fight they would be sent off for 10. People have argued this was massive overkill after the Paul Gallen affair with Nate Myles in game one.
Players thinking this wouldn’t happen because it’s Origin are naive. It happened in a Toyota cup match earlier in the week. If anyone wanted to test the referees then go for it, they have the last say and, as the two Queenslandand NSW players found out, it doesn’t matter who you are or what game it is, you will be off.
Brent Tate started the whole thing when he pushed NSW skipper Paul Gallen off Queensland playmaker Jonathan Thurston. The fight wouldn’t have started if Tate didn’t shove Gallen, so he got 10 for that.
Next thing, Trent Merrin decided to fight back for NSW, launching his fists into Brent Tate. Another 10 right there.
Justin Hodges came running in and got Merrin in the back of his head. 10 there for putting fire into the whole thing.
Lastly was the impact of Greg Bird running in. Yes there were other players as well but if you don’t run in you don’t put yourself in a position to be in trouble.
Full credit to the NRL and referees involved. They showed both sides they are not afraid to send multiple players off at once. It is up to the players to decide in the future are they going to risk being sent to the bin by starting something or by putting themselves in a position to be.
Hopefully there won’t be any more incidents but knowing the game there will be, lessons still need to be learnt.
I’m not saying what the players did was right but we don’t want to see any more incidents happen again, it’s better to put in this rule late rather than not put it in at all.
Referees have a tough enough job as it is and the majority of the public will jump on and say it’s an overkill to stop the fights. People don’t usually think of the view from the referee’s eyes and the players shouldn’t be complaining about it when they are guilty of an offence.
The NRL have taken a big step forward already in an effort to stop incidents overshadowing games, now in game three if the players do anything wrong they know what to expect, it’s up to them to decide if they want to stay on the field for the whole time or not.
The players have a say in their actions but the referees have the final say. Play the game properly or you’re off.
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