Origin Trio's Punishment For Wild Brawl Revealed

Matt Burton, Dane Gagai and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui have all learned their fate following a wild brawl during State of Origin Game 3.

And, well, it seems like they got off scot free.

Accordint to Fox Sports, all three players were charged by the match review committee for their role in a melee, but have somehow escaped suspension.

Burton and Gagai were both charged with grade two striking for the swinging haymakers they threw.

Meanwhile, Queensland forward Fa’asuamaleaui copped a grade two high tackle charge as well as a grade one dangerous contact charge.

At the time, rival centres Burton and Gagai were sent to the sin bin for their actions, while Big Tino didn't even get a speaking to from the referee

And with fighting strictly prohibited in rugby league, many fans were expecting the trio to be slapped with suspensions.

Looks like we were wrong.

After an action-packed first half, tensions flared just one minute into the second 40-minute period when an off-the-ball incident sparked a huge all-in brawl.

With Queensland in possession, recovering New South Wales star Burton appeared to accidentally collide with Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga in back play.

Queensland winger Gagai took exception to this and charged over to confront Burton, knocking his rival centre to the ground from behind.

Clearly fuming, Burton ran over to Gagai but was clocked with a rapid right hook before he could even lay a glove on his opposite number.

Burton retaliated by throwing a few wild swings of his own, but it was Gagai doing most of the damage, connecting with a few big blows to Burton's chin.

Queensland star Fa’asuamaleaui was the third man in, getting Burton in a headlock while Gagai laid into him with more punches.

Reinforcements from the Maroons and the Blues then came charging over as all 26 men started piling in.

Once the melee was defused, the referee wasted no time in sending both Gagai and Burton to the sin bin.

Speaking after his side's 22-12 loss, New South Wales coach Brad Fittler couldn't work out why his player was punished.

“At the end of the day he didn’t initiate it, Burto,” Fittler said during the press conference.

“He’s not going to fight anyone.

“At the end of the day he’s got belted. He got penalised. We got the penalty. Then he got belted and put in a headlock and we walk out with one player down each.

“It’s a tad ridiculous. But it is what it is.”

Featured Image Credit: Supplied/NRL

Topics: Australia, NRL, Rugby League

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry