NRL boss Andrew Abdo responds to criticism of State of Origin brawl bans

Despite calls by club officials for change after Cameron Murray and Haumole Olakau’atu copped bans over the Origin III brawl, NRL boss Andrew Abdo has hit back at critics.

South Sydney chair Nick Pappas has become the latest high-profile figure in clubland to urge the NRL to revisit State of Origin scheduling and suspensions, believing the current system is broken and in dire need of repair.

Pappas, whose side will meet the Wests Tigers in Gosford on Saturday shorn of their captain Cameron Murray after he was suspended for his role in a wild brawl in Origin III at Suncorp Stadium, is one of the most respected and influential figures in clubland, having presided over the Rabbitohs for nearly 20 years.

He chimed into the Origin debate after Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly and Manly bonds Tony Mestrov called on the NRL to review the system, their clubs having lost Murray and Haumole Olakau’atu respectively for two games – both pleaded guilty to contrary conduct on Friday.

NRL State of Origin Game 3 the brawl. Picture: NRL Photos

Pappas has now added his considerable weight to the Origin discussion as frustration grows at the Rabbitohs over losing one of their key players at a pivotal time in the season.

“Something needs to be done with Origin full stop, not just suspensions,” Pappas said.

“The attrition factor has grown over the years. I am sure there are more injuries now than ever before. The starting point is a discussion.

“The competition is more intense than it has ever been. We need to look at it critically, not just put our blinkers on.

“I echo the sentiments of Blake and Tony. I don’t think clubs should suffer as a result of what happens on a representative field.

“The accountability and responsibility should be passed on to the representatives fixtures, not the next club game.”

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has no issue with how the brawl was handled by the league and match review committee. Picture: David Clark

The NRL have listened to the clubs and made significant changes to the judicial system around Origin in recent years to ensure the regular season isn’t as heavily impacted by suspensions out of representative football.

Significantly, Murray and Olakau’atu were the only players to receive bans out of Origin III despite nine players being charged over a mass brawl that spilt onto the sidelines.

“State of Origin was a brilliant spectacle with record fan engagement and is the envy of every other sporting code,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“Two years ago we worked closely with clubs on this issue and the Commission introduced a separate representative sanction regime where only the most serious of offences incur suspensions.

“Since 2022, only three of 29 Origin charges have resulted in suspensions, with most players receiving fines. Only very serious offences incur match suspensions.

Haumole Olakau’atu getting involved in the melee on Wednesday night. Picture: Channel 9

“Players making a conscious decision to leave the bench — even if they weren’t playing in the match — and involve themselves in foul play is an extremely serious offence that the game doesn’t stand for at any level.”

The absences of Murray and Olakau’atu comes at a crucial time in the season for both their clubs – Souths remain a slim chance of qualifying for the finals while Manly are locked in a dogfight for the top eight.

Pappas praised Abdo and ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys for the work they have done to boost rugby league’s popularity but urged them to consider changes to the representative scene.

“I am not condoning what Cameron did in any way. Nor am I condoning any of the other players who were suspended or fined and what they did,” Pappas said.

“But it would be a more suitable penalty for the player to suffer in the representative matches.

“That is going to hurt them more.

“They’ll be overjoyed with selection and then remember they have been suspended. It becomes like a suspended penalty which takes effect when they are selected.

“That is a good way to do it. We give our players up to State of Origin. We do it gladly. Then we lose them again at the most critical point of the year.

“Peter and Andrew have been fantastic for the game.

“That doesn’t mean you don’t look at things from time to time.”

Originally published as NRL boss Andrew Abdo responds to criticism of State of Origin brawl bans