‘Didn’t think he’d jump into that’: Maguire weighs into Origin sideline stoush

NSW coach Michael Maguire says the actions of Cameron Murray and Haumole Olakau’atu, ejected from a game they had no involvement in at the time, highlights the depth of the Blues bonds behind a rare decider win at Suncorp Stadium.

Blues 19th man Olakau’atu was dismissed from the Suncorp Stadium sideline after getting himself involved in a first-half melee, while Murray became the first player ever to be sin-binned from the interchange bench for his role in the stoush.

Olakau’atu jumped into the fight from the NSW bench in his blazer and chinos after Jarome Luai and Daly Cherry-Evans clashed, with the resulting fracas spilling over the sideline. Olakau’atu rushed into the fight and engaged in a push-and-shove with Maroons winger Valentine Holmes.

Murray and Jeremiah Nanai were both sin-binned afterwards – the latter for running in and pushing Luai in the back – while Olakau’atu was banished from the sidelines and sent to the Blues dressing room.

“When you look at that moment, Cam Murray is one of the nicest blokes – along with this bloke [Jake Trbojevic] – in the game,” Maguire said in his post-match press conference.

“He plays the game to perfection. He obviously went down there because he cares for his teammates. The call was made, so play on. We had to just play the way we did.

Cameron Murray was sin-binned after involving himself in the scuffle from the interchange bench.Credit: NRL Photos

“I have known Cam Murray for a long time, I would never have thought he would jump into something like that.

“It just goes to show what the crew means to each other. And then he was sent, the boys had to dig deep, and they did.”

Maguire wanted Olakau’atu to join in the post-game celebrations, unaware that the Sea Eagles star was required to remain sidelined due to his indiscretion.

“I’ll actually tell you a secret, I had no idea about Haumole,” Maguire said.

“I was actually trying to drag him onto the field at the end there, but he wasn’t allowed on there.

“I’d love to go back and have a look at that part.”

NSW’s 18th man, Matt Burton, also joined the melee from the bench, but was not sanctioned in the same way as Olakau’atu, given he was part of the Blues’ playing roster for the match.

Olakau’atu was dropped from the Blues side in favour of Warriors forward Mitchell Barnett, the only unforced change coach Michael Maguire made after his side’s win in Origin II. Ironically, Barnett was the man forced to come from the field to serve the 10-minute penalty, given that Murray was already benched.

Having avoided suspension for a shoulder charge on Newcastle’s Mat Croker last weekend – Olakau’atu escaped with a $3000 fine – the Manly back-rower can expect a lengthy stint on the sidelines for the latest incident. Because of the playing field ban, Olakau’atu was unable to join his team-mates for celebration at fulltime.

Haumole Olakau’atu watches the NSW players celebrate after being banned from the playing field

Queensland coach Billy Slater refused to buy into the incident, saying the match officials would review their performance in due course.

A game that had been simmering from the kick-off finally reached boiling point at the half-hour mark.

The drama erupted when Bradman Best lost the ball after a mini-break, prompting a clash between Daly Cherry-Evans and Jarome Luai. Players from both sides ran in, with the scuffle spilling over the western touchline.

The stoush erupted right in front of the Maroons bench, as players ran in from everywhere. One of them was Murray, who made his way from the Blues bench more than 20 metres away.

In commentary for Nine, Immortal Andrew Johns called for all the players to remain on the field, declaring sin-bins or send-offs would be “the biggest overreaction in Origin history”.

The game stopped for several minutes as the officials attempted to regain control. Before referee Ashley Klein had even made his final determination – he said he warned both teams about melees before the game – Cherry-Evans said: “You might have spoken about it before the game, but you haven’t stopped them from doing it.”

Cherry-Evans then demanded Murray should be sent off rather than sin-binned, given that he involved himself in the incident from the interchange bench.

“That’s unacceptable in the park on the weekend,” Cherry-Evans said. “That can’t happen.”

It was one of several flashpoints in one of the most physical Origin encounters in recent years.
Reece Walsh was also placed on report for sliding in with his feet while attempting to prevent a Stephen Crichton try.

There was further drama when Blues halfback Mitchell Moses appeared to reaggravate a foot injury straight after half-time, but soldiered on to score the try that effectively wrapped up the series. The Parramatta halfback succumbed to a biceps injury with less than three minutes remaining that will rule him out for the remainder of the season.

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