Latest news with #StateofOriginII
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Sport
- Sky News AU
Matty Johns reveals hard truth for New South Wales following controversial State of Origin Game II
Matty Johns has revealed the harsh reality he believes New South Wales fans should acknowledge following a controversial State of Origin II defeat to Queensland. In the aftermath of Wednesday night's Origin match in Perth there have been calls for referee Ashley Klein to be demoted for Game 3 following a lopsided penalty count, favouring Queensland 10-2. On the Backstage with Cooper and Matty Johns podcast, Johns declared the hard truth was that the penalty count was nothing but the fault of the Blues' poor discipline. 'Us New South Welshman, most people will point to that and go look at that, but I tell you what, we were f***ing undisciplined,' he said. 'That's it. Don't blame the referee. We were undisciplined.' At half-time Queensland had eight penalties while NSW were not awarded any inside the first 40 minutes. Queensland made the most of the penalty count, establishing a 26-6 lead at the break before holding off a late Blues comeback in the second half. After winning 26-24, Queensland will now battle it out in a series decider at Sydney's Accor Stadium on July 9. Many rugby league greats and punters did not mince their words following the controversial nail-biter. Former NSW superstar Jarryd Hayne took to X in the first half, posting: 'This is why Origin is the greatest game in this country!!! Regardless of the pressure teams face, it is the team spirit that truly matters. 'Ps 7-0 pen count. Did some individuals attempt to influence the referees to force a decider?' While another former Blues representative Jamie Soward said: 'That will do me. Ash doing his best to get in the way here'. Former Penrith Panther Greg Alexander said on SEN1170, 'god knows what's going to happen in Game 3' following the officiating in the match. 'We have a decider. Boy didn't we really want one of those and not too subtle way to do it. Let's just make the penalty count 8-0 at half time. Eight-nil,' Alexander fumed. 'I don't think I have ever written a referee's name as many times on a piece of paper as I did last night, through that first half. 'My god I know some of the penalties blown against us were warranted, but if Queensland weren't offside a thousand times last night, especially on their line in that little period where NSW were attacking the line. I am going well 'what is he looking at. Is he looking at the line'." NSW had to wait 45 minutes to be awarded their first penalty of the game, shortly scoring soon after. A few punters responded to Alexander's fiery words with one saying, 'NSW supporters are sookie'. 'Doesn't help when a team is elbowing or eye gouging. Seriously, take a look at the ill-discipline before blaming the referees,' another added. Five-eighth Jarome Luai escaped a suspension after initially being accused of eye gouging in a tackle on Maroons forward Reuben Cotter, while winger Zac Lomax got off a charge after a blatant elbow to the head of Trent Loiero.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Nathan Cleary reveals ‘frustrating' truth of last-minute State of Origin injury dramas
Penrith and NSW are confident Nathan Cleary's groin problem is not a serious one, after the Panthers superstar played through tightness in the Blues' Perth loss. Cleary's upper right leg emerged as one of the key talking points of State of Origin II, after he did not kick goals and had his thigh bandaged. The issue prevented Cleary from goal-kicking and putting up long kicks in general play during the first half on Wednesday. It proved pivotal with the wayward boot of replacement goal-kicker Zac Lomax ultimately proving the difference between the sides in a 26-24 loss for NSW. On Thursday morning, Cleary revealed he had injured himself while goal-kicking at Tuesday's captain's run but never felt the issue was serious enough to sideline him. 'I always thought it would be fine, it was just sort of the kicking load which was up in the air,' he said. 'I don't actually know the exact thing (injury) but I essentially did it goal-kicking in captain's run. It's a little bit frustrating. 'I can't commend the physios enough, they put a lot of time into me at captain's run and the morning of the game.' Cleary is already set to be rested from Penrith's clash against the Warriors in Auckland due to travel, with the Panthers not backing up any of their five Origin stars. But his fitness after that is crucial with Penrith attempting to revive their season and an Origin decider just three weeks away. NSW have already lost first-choice five-eighth Mitch Moses to a calf injury, with Jarome Luai called in to wear the No.6 jersey on Wednesday night. If Cleary was to be in some doubt, Matt Burton would loom as the most likely option to come into the Blues' side for the July 9 decider at Accor Stadium. AAP has been told Cleary did not require scans in the lead-up to Wednesday's match and had been in close contact with Penrith and his father Ivan. The halfback is not expected to undergo scans when he flies home to Sydney, and not scheduled to return to the Panthers until Monday. 'Obviously he is a massive part of both teams,' Penrith and NSW second-rower Liam Martin said. 'I am sure he will be fine. He will do everything he can to be sweet and I'm sure he will be.' At full-time, NSW coach Laurie Daley took the blame for the Blues' first-half flop and indicated he'd remain loyal to his players for the series decider in Sydney. The Blues gave away eight penalties in the first half alone, completed at 56 per cent and had their defence pulled apart with 22 missed tackles. NSW scored four unanswered tries in the second half as they threatened to pull off the greatest comeback in Origin history. But Lomax's three missed conversions and the team's horrific first half was left to haunt them. 'I've got to take responsibility, because we started well (with the first try), but the first half wasn't great,' Daley said. 'So I've got to look at what I've done, because something isn't right.' Daley was protective of his players when asked if he was confident in his current squad or would need to make changes for game three. 'Well, I was confident at half-time,' Daley said. 'I know what this group is capable of, and that's the thing you get disappointed with, because they never gave themselves that opportunity. 'You can't play a half of football like that against quality opposition and expect to be close. 'So for us, it's a good lesson. We'll go back to the drawing board. 'It's one-all. That's what Origin is all about, and it creates theatre and it creates headlines. 'I'm sure everyone wants a decider, and they've got it now.'
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Cleary downplays groin issue as Origin decider looms
Penrith and NSW are confident Nathan Cleary's groin problem is not a serious one, after the Panthers superstar played through tightness in the Blues' Perth loss. Cleary's upper right leg emerged as one of the key talking points of State of Origin II, after he did not kick goals and had his thigh bandaged. The issue prevented Cleary from goal-kicking and putting up long kicks in general play during the first half on Wednesday. It proved pivotal with the wayward boot of replacement goal-kicker Zac Lomax ultimately proving the difference between the sides in a 26-24 loss for NSW. On Thursday morning, Cleary revealed he had injured himself while goal-kicking at Tuesday's captain's run but never felt the issue was serious enough to sideline him. "I always thought it would be fine, it was just sort of the kicking load which was up in the air," he said. "I don't actually know the exact thing (injury) but I essentially did it goal-kicking in captain's run. It's a little bit frustrating. "I can't commend the physios enough, they put a lot of time into me at captain's run and the morning of the game." Cleary is already set to be rested from Penrith's clash against the Warriors in Auckland due to travel, with the Panthers not backing up any of their five Origin stars. But his fitness after that is crucial with Penrith attempting to revive their season and an Origin decider just three weeks away. NSW have already lost first-choice five-eighth Mitch Moses to a calf injury, with Jarome Luai called in to wear the No.6 jersey on Wednesday night. If Cleary was to be in some doubt, Matt Burton would loom as the most likely option to come into the Blues' side for the July 9 decider at Accor Stadium. AAP has been told Cleary did not require scans in the lead up to Wednesday's match and had been in close contact with Penrith and his father Ivan. The halfback is not expected to undergo scans when he flies home to Sydney, and not scheduled to return to the Panthers until Monday. "Obviously he is a massive part of both teams," Penrith and NSW second-rower Liam Martin said. "I am sure he will be fine. He will do everything he can to be sweet and I'm sure he will be." At full-time, NSW coach Laurie Daley took the blame for the Blues' first-half flop and indicated he'd remain loyal to his players for the series decider in Sydney. The Blues gave away eight penalties in the first half alone, completed at 56 per cent and had their defence pulled apart with 22 missed tackles. NSW scored four unanswered tries in the second half as they threatened to pull off the greatest comeback in Origin history. But Lomax's three missed conversions and the team's horrific first half was left to haunt them. "I've got to take responsibility, because we started well (with the first try), but the first half wasn't great," Daley said. "So I've got to look at what I've done, because something isn't right." Daley was protective of his players when asked if he was confident in his current squad or would need to make changes for game three. "Well, I was confident at half-time," Daley said. "I know what this group is capable of, and that's the thing you get disappointed with, because they never gave themselves that opportunity. "You can't play a half of football like that against quality opposition and expect to be close. "So for us, it's a good lesson. We'll go back to the drawing board. "It's one-all. That's what Origin is all about, and it creates theatre and it creates headlines. "I'm sure everyone wants a decider, and they've got it now." Penrith and NSW are confident Nathan Cleary's groin problem is not a serious one, after the Panthers superstar played through tightness in the Blues' Perth loss. Cleary's upper right leg emerged as one of the key talking points of State of Origin II, after he did not kick goals and had his thigh bandaged. The issue prevented Cleary from goal-kicking and putting up long kicks in general play during the first half on Wednesday. It proved pivotal with the wayward boot of replacement goal-kicker Zac Lomax ultimately proving the difference between the sides in a 26-24 loss for NSW. On Thursday morning, Cleary revealed he had injured himself while goal-kicking at Tuesday's captain's run but never felt the issue was serious enough to sideline him. "I always thought it would be fine, it was just sort of the kicking load which was up in the air," he said. "I don't actually know the exact thing (injury) but I essentially did it goal-kicking in captain's run. It's a little bit frustrating. "I can't commend the physios enough, they put a lot of time into me at captain's run and the morning of the game." Cleary is already set to be rested from Penrith's clash against the Warriors in Auckland due to travel, with the Panthers not backing up any of their five Origin stars. But his fitness after that is crucial with Penrith attempting to revive their season and an Origin decider just three weeks away. NSW have already lost first-choice five-eighth Mitch Moses to a calf injury, with Jarome Luai called in to wear the No.6 jersey on Wednesday night. If Cleary was to be in some doubt, Matt Burton would loom as the most likely option to come into the Blues' side for the July 9 decider at Accor Stadium. AAP has been told Cleary did not require scans in the lead up to Wednesday's match and had been in close contact with Penrith and his father Ivan. The halfback is not expected to undergo scans when he flies home to Sydney, and not scheduled to return to the Panthers until Monday. "Obviously he is a massive part of both teams," Penrith and NSW second-rower Liam Martin said. "I am sure he will be fine. He will do everything he can to be sweet and I'm sure he will be." At full-time, NSW coach Laurie Daley took the blame for the Blues' first-half flop and indicated he'd remain loyal to his players for the series decider in Sydney. The Blues gave away eight penalties in the first half alone, completed at 56 per cent and had their defence pulled apart with 22 missed tackles. NSW scored four unanswered tries in the second half as they threatened to pull off the greatest comeback in Origin history. But Lomax's three missed conversions and the team's horrific first half was left to haunt them. "I've got to take responsibility, because we started well (with the first try), but the first half wasn't great," Daley said. "So I've got to look at what I've done, because something isn't right." Daley was protective of his players when asked if he was confident in his current squad or would need to make changes for game three. "Well, I was confident at half-time," Daley said. "I know what this group is capable of, and that's the thing you get disappointed with, because they never gave themselves that opportunity. "You can't play a half of football like that against quality opposition and expect to be close. "So for us, it's a good lesson. We'll go back to the drawing board. "It's one-all. That's what Origin is all about, and it creates theatre and it creates headlines. "I'm sure everyone wants a decider, and they've got it now." Penrith and NSW are confident Nathan Cleary's groin problem is not a serious one, after the Panthers superstar played through tightness in the Blues' Perth loss. Cleary's upper right leg emerged as one of the key talking points of State of Origin II, after he did not kick goals and had his thigh bandaged. The issue prevented Cleary from goal-kicking and putting up long kicks in general play during the first half on Wednesday. It proved pivotal with the wayward boot of replacement goal-kicker Zac Lomax ultimately proving the difference between the sides in a 26-24 loss for NSW. On Thursday morning, Cleary revealed he had injured himself while goal-kicking at Tuesday's captain's run but never felt the issue was serious enough to sideline him. "I always thought it would be fine, it was just sort of the kicking load which was up in the air," he said. "I don't actually know the exact thing (injury) but I essentially did it goal-kicking in captain's run. It's a little bit frustrating. "I can't commend the physios enough, they put a lot of time into me at captain's run and the morning of the game." Cleary is already set to be rested from Penrith's clash against the Warriors in Auckland due to travel, with the Panthers not backing up any of their five Origin stars. But his fitness after that is crucial with Penrith attempting to revive their season and an Origin decider just three weeks away. NSW have already lost first-choice five-eighth Mitch Moses to a calf injury, with Jarome Luai called in to wear the No.6 jersey on Wednesday night. If Cleary was to be in some doubt, Matt Burton would loom as the most likely option to come into the Blues' side for the July 9 decider at Accor Stadium. AAP has been told Cleary did not require scans in the lead up to Wednesday's match and had been in close contact with Penrith and his father Ivan. The halfback is not expected to undergo scans when he flies home to Sydney, and not scheduled to return to the Panthers until Monday. "Obviously he is a massive part of both teams," Penrith and NSW second-rower Liam Martin said. "I am sure he will be fine. He will do everything he can to be sweet and I'm sure he will be." At full-time, NSW coach Laurie Daley took the blame for the Blues' first-half flop and indicated he'd remain loyal to his players for the series decider in Sydney. The Blues gave away eight penalties in the first half alone, completed at 56 per cent and had their defence pulled apart with 22 missed tackles. NSW scored four unanswered tries in the second half as they threatened to pull off the greatest comeback in Origin history. But Lomax's three missed conversions and the team's horrific first half was left to haunt them. "I've got to take responsibility, because we started well (with the first try), but the first half wasn't great," Daley said. "So I've got to look at what I've done, because something isn't right." Daley was protective of his players when asked if he was confident in his current squad or would need to make changes for game three. "Well, I was confident at half-time," Daley said. "I know what this group is capable of, and that's the thing you get disappointed with, because they never gave themselves that opportunity. "You can't play a half of football like that against quality opposition and expect to be close. "So for us, it's a good lesson. We'll go back to the drawing board. "It's one-all. That's what Origin is all about, and it creates theatre and it creates headlines. "I'm sure everyone wants a decider, and they've got it now."
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'I wasn't eye-gouged by Luai in Origin,' says Cotter
Queensland forward Reuben Cotter says he was not eye-gouged by Jarome Luai in State of Origin II, insistent he was just reacting to a shoulder from the NSW star. Luai was on Wednesday night hit with a grade-two contrary conduct charge for unnecessary contact with Cotter's face in a tackle during NSW's 26-24 loss in Perth. The charge came after Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga appeared to accuse Luai of a gouge in the lead up to a first-half scuffle between the teams. After Payne Haas dropped a ball and Cotter dived on it, Luai drove into the Maroons second-rower on the ground. His hand appeared to make contact with Cotter's face as the pair pushed each other off, before Ponga made a raking motion to sideline officials. Luai was placed on report, but cleared of a gouge by the NRL match review committee and instead hit with a $3900 fine - 13 per cent of his match fee. Afterwards, Cotter said he had no issue with the hand on his face. "I didn't get eye gouged at all," Cotter told AAP. "He just came in with his elbow or his shoulder, I'm not sure what he came in with. "I just stood up for myself, tried to push him off me." Cotter was sporting a heavy lump to his eye in the Maroons sheds after, but said that came from a clash with Liam Martin late in the game. Benji Marshall, Luai's coach at Wests Tigers, was initially concerned the contact with Cotter could have rubbed his co-captain out of Friday's clash with Canberra. "I was (worried) but I don't have to worry anymore. He got a fine so he'll be right to play," Marshall said. "I don't think it was intentional what he did. Anyway, that's not up to me anymore. That's been dealt with." Luai contacted Marshall after full-time to say he would be fine to face the Raiders as the Tigers fight to avoid a five-game losing streak. But the 28-year-old will need to be cleared by Tigers staff after the Blues land in Sydney at approximately 6pm on Thursday. "I'll tell you exactly the conversation. I said 'How'd you pull up?' and he goes, 'I'm good to go, coach, put me in'," Marshall said. "You've got to trust your senior players but at the same time, we'll get a medical done on him tonight when he gets back, massage, and see how he pulls up tomorrow. "We've got back-up options if he doesn't play and we've prepared all week like he's not going to play. If he does play, it's a bonus." Queensland forward Reuben Cotter says he was not eye-gouged by Jarome Luai in State of Origin II, insistent he was just reacting to a shoulder from the NSW star. Luai was on Wednesday night hit with a grade-two contrary conduct charge for unnecessary contact with Cotter's face in a tackle during NSW's 26-24 loss in Perth. The charge came after Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga appeared to accuse Luai of a gouge in the lead up to a first-half scuffle between the teams. After Payne Haas dropped a ball and Cotter dived on it, Luai drove into the Maroons second-rower on the ground. His hand appeared to make contact with Cotter's face as the pair pushed each other off, before Ponga made a raking motion to sideline officials. Luai was placed on report, but cleared of a gouge by the NRL match review committee and instead hit with a $3900 fine - 13 per cent of his match fee. Afterwards, Cotter said he had no issue with the hand on his face. "I didn't get eye gouged at all," Cotter told AAP. "He just came in with his elbow or his shoulder, I'm not sure what he came in with. "I just stood up for myself, tried to push him off me." Cotter was sporting a heavy lump to his eye in the Maroons sheds after, but said that came from a clash with Liam Martin late in the game. Benji Marshall, Luai's coach at Wests Tigers, was initially concerned the contact with Cotter could have rubbed his co-captain out of Friday's clash with Canberra. "I was (worried) but I don't have to worry anymore. He got a fine so he'll be right to play," Marshall said. "I don't think it was intentional what he did. Anyway, that's not up to me anymore. That's been dealt with." Luai contacted Marshall after full-time to say he would be fine to face the Raiders as the Tigers fight to avoid a five-game losing streak. But the 28-year-old will need to be cleared by Tigers staff after the Blues land in Sydney at approximately 6pm on Thursday. "I'll tell you exactly the conversation. I said 'How'd you pull up?' and he goes, 'I'm good to go, coach, put me in'," Marshall said. "You've got to trust your senior players but at the same time, we'll get a medical done on him tonight when he gets back, massage, and see how he pulls up tomorrow. "We've got back-up options if he doesn't play and we've prepared all week like he's not going to play. If he does play, it's a bonus." Queensland forward Reuben Cotter says he was not eye-gouged by Jarome Luai in State of Origin II, insistent he was just reacting to a shoulder from the NSW star. Luai was on Wednesday night hit with a grade-two contrary conduct charge for unnecessary contact with Cotter's face in a tackle during NSW's 26-24 loss in Perth. The charge came after Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga appeared to accuse Luai of a gouge in the lead up to a first-half scuffle between the teams. After Payne Haas dropped a ball and Cotter dived on it, Luai drove into the Maroons second-rower on the ground. His hand appeared to make contact with Cotter's face as the pair pushed each other off, before Ponga made a raking motion to sideline officials. Luai was placed on report, but cleared of a gouge by the NRL match review committee and instead hit with a $3900 fine - 13 per cent of his match fee. Afterwards, Cotter said he had no issue with the hand on his face. "I didn't get eye gouged at all," Cotter told AAP. "He just came in with his elbow or his shoulder, I'm not sure what he came in with. "I just stood up for myself, tried to push him off me." Cotter was sporting a heavy lump to his eye in the Maroons sheds after, but said that came from a clash with Liam Martin late in the game. Benji Marshall, Luai's coach at Wests Tigers, was initially concerned the contact with Cotter could have rubbed his co-captain out of Friday's clash with Canberra. "I was (worried) but I don't have to worry anymore. He got a fine so he'll be right to play," Marshall said. "I don't think it was intentional what he did. Anyway, that's not up to me anymore. That's been dealt with." Luai contacted Marshall after full-time to say he would be fine to face the Raiders as the Tigers fight to avoid a five-game losing streak. But the 28-year-old will need to be cleared by Tigers staff after the Blues land in Sydney at approximately 6pm on Thursday. "I'll tell you exactly the conversation. I said 'How'd you pull up?' and he goes, 'I'm good to go, coach, put me in'," Marshall said. "You've got to trust your senior players but at the same time, we'll get a medical done on him tonight when he gets back, massage, and see how he pulls up tomorrow. "We've got back-up options if he doesn't play and we've prepared all week like he's not going to play. If he does play, it's a bonus."
The Age
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
‘Unfortunate': Paul Green's family respond to Billy Slater
The brother of the late Paul Green has responded to Billy Slater's controversial comments on the eve of State of Origin II, accepting the Queensland coach's apology. Rick Green, a barrister in Brisbane, has spoken of his family's disappointment of the manner in which Paul's death was used by Slater in an emotional response to being called a grub by former Blues player Aaron Woods last week. The Green family are determined to educate the public that Paul died as a result of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and not as a result of a battle with depression, as implied by Slater in his press conference in Perth on Tuesday. Slater did not refer to Green by name but said: 'Although I might be able to handle [criticism], the next person mightn't be. Maybe our last coach [Green] didn't.' While the Green family are disappointed, they have accepted Slater's apology on Wednesday morning and have indicated their desire to speak with the Maroons coach at some stage in the aftermath of game two. 'The family regrets that Paul's name was brought into the current narrative and the manner this has been done,' Rick told this masthead on behalf of his mother and siblings. 'The family wants to reiterate that we love Queensland and its team. We also bear great respect for the person charged with the team's performance. 'It was unfortunate that Mr Slater made the reference that he did, but he has responded appropriately and apologised without reservation. We sincerely wish him the best in his role as the coach of our state team.' Slater on Wednesday apologised to the family of Green after referencing the late Queensland coach during an emotional State of Origin press conference on Tuesday.
