North Queensland Cowboys defeated by Cronulla Sharks 13-10: Blues pair await NRL MRC verdict

JAMES Tamou and Wade Graham’s NSW jumpers could hinge on the NRL after the pair were involved in possible acts of foul play in the Cowboys’ 13-10 loss to Cronulla.

JAMES Tamou and Wade Graham’s NSW jumpers could hinge on NRL authorities after the pair were involved in possible acts of foul play in the Cowboys’ 13-10 loss to Cronulla.

The clash was billed as one of the games of the season and neither side failed to disappoint as Cronulla prevailed in a night of finals-style spite at Southern Cross Group Stadium.

But the fireworks could claim victims in Tamou and Graham, whose joy at being handed his NSW debut minutes after full-time could be cruelled by the NRL match-review committee.

Jason Taumalolo gets some serious Sharks attention.

Tamou could face scrutiny for a possible 19th-minute shoulder charge on NSW teammate Andrew Fifita, while Graham appeared to coathanger Johnathan Thurston 15 minutes from time.

Both players were only penalised for the incidents, but the NRL match-review committee has the power to review the tackles and charge both Tamou and Graham on Tuesday.

That would be a disastrous outcome for NSW coach Laurie Daley, who will desperately hope to have Tamou and Graham on deck to save the series at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.

A grade-one shoulder charge carries 200 demerit points. That means not even an early-guilty plea would save Tamou, who will be left with no option but to fight the charge to play in Origin II if cited by the NRL.

In a cracking contest before 13,119 fans, it was a brilliant display by the Sharks, who proved they are the real deal by rocking the premiers to record their 10th successive win.

Thurston later hit out at Graham’s high shot but hopes the incident doesn’t cost him his Origin debut.

Wade Graham helps Johnathan Thurston off the deck.

“He didn’t miss me,” he said. “I may have been slipping but you can’t make contact with the head can you?”

Asked if Graham should be charged, he said: “It’s out of my control ... but it would be a bit soft (if he was suspended).”

Of Tamou’s tackle on Fifita, Cowboys coach Paul Green said: “They penalised him, I think that’s enough.”

From the opening seconds there were enough fireworks to satisfy the Chinese New Year.

Referee Gerard Sutton tried to restore calm amid the chaos, blowing a whopping 20 penalties in 80 furious minutes.

Antonio Winterstein crosses the line — but it wasn’t enough for North Queensland.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan urged NRL authorities not to wipe Graham out of Origin II.

“It will be a talking point,” he conceded. “But Wade deserves his spot in Origin. It won’t make any different with the match-review committee, but they didn’t put it on report so hopefully that’s enough.”

The Cowboys took control after six minutes when Antonio Winterstein crashed over, but Cronulla winger Valentine Holmes’ superb 90-metre solo intercept try turned the contest on its head.

The second half became a battle of wills. Both sides had their chances but in a tryless second half, Cronulla’s desperation proved the difference, James Maloney slotting a 74th minute field goal to break the Cowboys’ hearts.

Full-time CRONULLA 13 (V Holmes try J Maloney 4 goals J Maloney field goal) bt NORTH QUEENSLAND 10 (A Winterstein try J Thurston 3 goals) at Southern Cross Group Stadium. Referee: Gerard Sutton, Adam Gee. Crowd: 13,119.

Originally published as North Queensland Cowboys defeated by Cronulla Sharks 13-10: Blues pair await NRL MRC verdict