Queensland v New South Wales: Dane Gagai and Matt Burton PUNCH ON

Fans and pundits have been crying out for a full-blooded Origin comparable to the feisty rivalries of the 1980s, and Matt Burton and Dane Gagai certainly delivered on Wednesday.

After a ferocious first half which saw three player withdrawn with head injuries, tempers boiled over in the early knockings of the second half after an off-ball incident between Kalyn Ponga and Burton.

The Newcastle gun burst through New South Wales’ defensive line, before being hauled down by Adam Yeo. As he returned to his feet, Burton clattered through the back of him while play continued through Daly Cherry-Evans. 

Tempers boiled over at State of Origin after players were involved in a full-blooded brawl

Ashley Klein sin-binned Matt Burton and Dane Gagai for aiming punches at each other

Yet Burton’s sneaky act did not escape the attention of Queensland star Gagai, who squared up to the Canterbury gun before chaos ensued.

In an astonishing sequence, both players aimed haymakers at each other, with Gagai seriously connecting with his rival’s chin with the help of lock Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who grabbed a hold of the five-eighth while Gagai swung at him.

Burton was left bloodied after the punch on and some of that blood managed to find its way onto referee Ashley Klein’s jersey.  

Klein had no option but to sin bin both men for the ugly act, the first time Origin has seen such an incident since Paul Gallen punched Nate Myles in 2013. 

That incident – in which Gallen threw a big punch after growing frustrated with Myles’s ‘grubby acts’ – saw the NRL clampdown and ban fighting. 

It is the first time Origin has seen a punch on since Paul Gallen hit Nate Myles nine years ago

NRL supporters took to Twitter to have their say on the ugly incident at Suncorp Stadium

Gagai and Burton’s brawl has certainly lit a fuse in a rivalry that has long been accused of falling flat in recent years, although fan opinion was divided over the brawl itself. 

‘Probably the craziest game in terms of intensity and fights the rugby world has witnessed in some time,’ one fan posted. 

‘Dane Gagai just absolutely leathered Matt Burton there. Wow!’ another said. 

‘Dane Gagai blind-sides a Blues player then starts throwing punches… should get suspended for 6 months,’ a third fan said. ‘A cheap shot followed by a coward’s punch, but @NRL will do nothing.’ 

Other fans suggested that a a combat sports career awaits the 31-year-old. 

‘Dane Gagai should be red carded however, @ufc should sign him’, a fourth added, while another fan said: ‘Dane Gagai should fight @jakepaul’.