Queensland claim they were ambushed

rhugh89

Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Maroons claim they were 'ambushed' in Origin I





THE Maroons walked into an ANZ Stadium ambush on Wednesday night, with prop David Shillington revealing the game was refereed with an unanticipated level of leniency.


The Maroons will not be caught unawares again with coach Mal Meninga confirming he will meet with referees boss Daniel Anderson regarding the controversial performance of game one officials Shayne Hayne and Ashley Klein.It is understood the Maroons coaching staff were not formally told referees would adjudicate the game with greater flexibility and allow normally punishable ruck infringements and foul play to escape without penalty."I haven't watched the game on video ... I'm pretty sure I'll be talking to (referees' boss) Daniel (Anderson) prior to game two,'' Meninga said.

Prop Shillington paid tribute to the Blues for quickly adapting to rule interpretations, which he said ensured "most of the time things were let go'' during Queensland's 14-6 loss."I did this little head high on Steve Matai a week ago and got a penalty and placed on report,'' Shillington said."Then this week blokes were just coming in with elbows, swinging arms and punching each other up and you barely get a penalty out of it ... if that.''The Maroons conceded seven penalties to the Blues' five and a frustrated Queensland captain Cameron Smith argued with referees in the second half regarding a ballooning 10m.While Origin is traditionally officiated "differently'', the ARL Commission has repeatedly stated they want the game cleaner in order to encourage game participation.This mantra apparently does not apply to State of Origin,the code's pinnacle.

927625-origin-game-1.jpg

David Shillington carts the ball forward for Queensland. Picture: Brett Costello



Judging from Wednesday night there will be two rule books used during the next six weeks.Shillington said he did not want to take the gloss off the Blues' deserved win, but was voicing confusion at playing under contrasting interpretations within the space of 10 days."The NRL this year has been really strict, you don't get away with anything,'' he said."Week to week they are telling you to get off the ground but during that (Origin) game it was different."NSW took advantage of that.

Look, we have already got rid of the shoulder charge and you don't want to make it too soft for Origin."Having said that, we didn't adapt to the leniency out there.''Maroons assistant coach Michael Hagan said his players were frustrated at being ambushed, especially in the wake of Blues captain Paul Gallen's attempt to crack the skull of Nate Myles."There might be a little bit of a square-up in game two,'' Hagan said regarding the flurry on Myles."I think they're a little bit cranky that they did ambush us a little bit."We look forward to game two in Brisbane and we can repay the favour.''



http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...shed-in-origin-i/story-fni3fr51-1226658927665
 
Back
Top