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Brad Fittler slams 'ridiculous' sin binning for NSW centre Burton after scrap
By AAP
Coach Brad Fittler thinks Matt Burton’s sin-binning in the State of Origin decider was a “tad ridiculous” as NSW lick their wounds after the Maroons’ comeback win.
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Blues centre Burton and Queensland opposite Dane Gagai were both sin-binned as the Origin series decider descended into a throwback, fists flying in a second-half brawl.
Burton and Gagai were both given a spell by referee Ashley Klein in the 42nd minute after the Maroons made a snap break at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
As Queensland burst upfield, Burton collided with Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga after he had passed and was trying to catch up with the play.
Gagai took exception to the New South Welshman’s contact on Ponga and knocked him over before they squared up.
The pair both hesitated and then threw a flurry of punches at each other.
While most of Burton’s missed, Gagai found the NSW centre’s head repeatedly and he got up after the melee with a black eye and bleeding nose.
It was helped by Queensland teammate Tino Fa’asuamaleaui holding Burton back as Gagai laid into him, putting him into a headlock.
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Klein showed no tolerance for the violence and sent the pair to the sin bin, but spared Fa’asuamaleaui.
The incident appeared to galvanise the hosts, who kicked on from 12-10 down to win 22-12.
“He didn’t initiate it, he’s not going to fight anyone,” Fittler said of Burton.
“He got belted, got the penalty, got in a headlock and we walk out with one player down each.
“Tad ridiculous, but it is what it is.”
Blues captain James Tedesco wondered why Fa’asuamaleaui wasn’t sin-binned, before Fittler shut down the topic.
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Origin games were once famed for descending into fighting but the NRL has taken a no-nonsense approach to on-field brawls.
Klein’s approach was consistent with Origin II, 2020, when Fa’asuamaleaui and Payne Haas were both binned for trading blows.
Both Newcastle’s Gagai and Bulldogs playmaker Burton are likely to face NRL suspension for their involvement in the fracas.
