State of Origin 2026

[Halbrowne61]

Origin players no longer get suspensions for club games. Rules.

I’d also say that they’ve taken into account the impact on the result of him being sent off.
I’ve always believed that any suspension should be matched by the injuries to the other player.

 

[clontarfkid]

I think sin-bin or send off is a 50/50 call. If this happens in 15th minute instead of 55th, Klein probably bins him.

To me, I just want to see the audio from Bunker to Klein..

I thought it was 50/50..but seeing the slowmo replay it looked terrible,and if we dont crack down on this stuff there wont be NRL in 2040
The ambulance chasing lawyer's will have a field day

 

[Halbrowne61]

Either of strange or Moses offer more than Burton imo

Except kicking ! But he really ran well v Storm last week, let’s see what happens v his old team mate this weekend.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Why would you drop Koula ?
I know it won’t happen but I wouldn’t mind seeing Koula at fullback and for once NSW having some speed to trouble QLD defence out wide.
I thought all the young blokes
Koula
Strange
McLean
Walker
performed excellent last night.

Very disappointed with
AFB his performance was at the same level as Stefano’s when he has been used.

I think in another 12 months a few of those rookies will be the first picked.
Especially if Ivan gets the guernsey.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

Reading a lot of Karenesque justifications for the send off today….the truth is only non footy people are still claiming that was a direct shoulder charge to the head.
All good. Just understand that your opinions are helping kill this sport.
When a bloke can get sent from the field for an accidental head clash and tens of thousands of idiots applaud the decision…well you are going to have to live with the consequences.

Referee made a good decision..only weak people and teams blame referee decisions

 

[innsaneink]

Referee made a good decision..only weak people and teams blame referee decisions

Where have I read that before?

 

[Halbrowne61]

James Tedesco, the Michael Chee Kam of origin

I see the comparison you’re making Y but I think we both agree Teddy has proven himself time after time. MCK was a fly by nighter !
And he’ll get another chance in Melbourne.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

Where have I read that before?

I have been told that so many times on here I’ve taken it to heart ♥️ 👌😉. Strange that when it happens to wests tigers it’s not somehow destroying the sport… wonder what the difference is? the only reason ponga had a head clash was because he shoulder charged with his left shoulder instead of his right shoulder which meant that his head was in front of the motion of koula, so after pongas left shoulder ran into kolas head then physics caused their heads to clash .. ponga as the defending player was reckless , made no attempt to wrap his arms and made direct contact to the head at force causing injury. Klein made his decision based on his experience and the laws of the game currently…personally I love watching ponga play, I don’t think he was malicious and his record is pretty spotless I think 🤔, but with the game making a real effort to protect players from head injury and concussion Klein made a perfectly reasonable decision. It being an origin game in some ways made the decision more sensible because of the massive profile origin has in Australian sport , so a dangerous tackle like that not being strongly adjudicated could possibly cause more damage to the sport’s reputation amongst the wider community , some could argue Klein was protecting NRL and its image ..

 

[Dr_Ice]

I wonder what was going on in Clearys head that last conversion....almost psyching himself out of it...pressures a funny thing...he wouldnt give that kick a 2nd thought usually

Certainly pressure, but some QLD players were also moving towards him before he moved in the first time

 

[Dr_Ice]

That was quite possibly the worst rendition of the National Anthem I've ever heard. Talk about a nasal voice! And I agree, the Channel 9 coverage is terrible.

The singer is the son of Peter Mortimer (nephew of Turvey and Chris)

 

[Yossarian]

I see the comparison you’re making Y but I think we both agree Teddy has proven himself time after time. MCK was a fly by nighter !
And he’ll get another chance in Melbourne.

It was just a little Wests Tigers themed joke. Nobody seriously thinks MCK is in the same universe as Tedesco.

 

[Furious1]

Sorry .. I just thought its crazy to be highlighting the Bunker when we are watching the master Klein at work

Fair enough. I can't stand Klein either.

 

[Furious1]

Absolute madness by anyone to suggest to replace Cleary. Also madness to be picking the team for the next game. There will be new injuries and players returning from injury before then. See who is available in 2 weeks time.

 

[clontarfkid]

Old adage is never change a winning team...
But..
Lots of issues out there
For mine..
Latrell > Crighton(by daylite)
Murray > Teo(daylite)
Haas > AFB (daylite)
Mclean >Koula as a winger(daylite)
Moses >Strange (by not a lot)
OK to give T'oo another chance

 

[crazycat]

I thought it was 50/50..but seeing the slowmo replay it looked terrible,and if we dont crack down on this stuff there wont be NRL in 2040
The ambulance chasing lawyer's will have a field day

Look the Lawyers would own the NRL and probably our club too. Bye bye Burgess, hello again Lee!

More to the point, I don't want Ponga, Fulton or any NRL guy with Altzheimers at 40! It sucks.
Imagine being a 12 year old kid looking up to Terrell May and suddenly it's like "he has to retire", then you speak to him and he is like "what's a field goal".

It's a game, sure I love it. No we don't want young 30 year old guys committed to nursing homes unable to wipe their arses... Literally.

5m back, not 10. Also penalise the hell out of Ponga and any player who does the headbutt!

 

[Tucker]

Referee made a good decision..only weak people and teams blame referee decisions

Right throughout the game I said the Blues would win if they held onto the ball. They didn’t fully do this but unfortunately the Maroons panicked when down a man and made a tonne of unforced errors and gave away a lot of repeat sets.
That is where the game was lost.
Criticising why that decision was made and what it means for the game is totally different to sulking about every decision made every weekend like many on here do.

 

[tiger_one]

Speaking on SENQ693 on Thursday morning, Maroons great Corey Parker detailed Klein’s record of sending players off.

“I want to paint a picture here. The State of Origin has been going on for a long time. There have been seven send-offs in history (and) Ashley Klein has been responsible for four of those send-offs.

“Walsh and Luai in 23 for headbutts, which was absolute garbage. Suaalii in 24 and now Ponga.”

Some fans are still questioning the illegality (or not).
Origin controversies fuel the series, again.

 

[NT_Tiger]

Old adage is never change a winning team...
But..
Lots of issues out there
For mine..
Latrell > Crighton(by daylite)
Murray > Teo(daylite)
Haas > AFB (daylite)
Mclean >Koula as a winger(daylite)
Moses >Strange (by not a lot)
OK to give T'oo another chance

for a moment i thought you slipped toa in there

 

[Halbrowne61]

Certainly pressure, but some QLD players were also moving towards him before he moved in the first time

And I’m sure there were plenty of verbals as well !

 

[Camel2281]

I’d also say that they’ve taken into account the impact on the result of him being sent off.
I’ve always believed that any suspension should be matched by the injuries to the other player.

If it had been a club game, his charge that he got last night would be 2 weeks with an early guilty plea