REACTION: ‘Throwback to the 80s’, ‘brutal and unbelievable’ – THREE players forced off as Luai accused of ‘cowardly act’

State of Origin intensity went through the roof with three players forced off in the opening three minutes of the game three decider in Brisbane and Jarome Luai accused of taunting a KO’d rival.

Queensland lost Selwyn Cobbo and Lindsay Collins after Blues star Cameron Murray was forced off with just one minute gone in a brutal contest.

All three were ruled out for the rest of the game and the impact was more significant on the home side, with Billy Slater having to load more minutes into the rest of his lineup.

While Murray and Collins walked from the ground Cobbo had been knocked out cold trembling on the ground. He was taken off on a medicab, and fans felt rival player Jarome Luai taunted the 19 year old unneccesarily.

“It was a brutal start to this match. Unbelievable. They were throwing themselves at each other. There wasn’t a lot of technique involved, but putting their bodies on the line, that’s for sure,” Gallen said.

It reminded Blues legend Andrew Johns of games 40y years ago when Origin was in its infancy and there was less interest in the health and safety of its participants.

He said he hadn’t seen intensity like it, “not for a long time. With tackling techniques that have changed over the years, they don’t like to drive in so much with their shoulders, it is all about control. This is a throwback to the ’80s.”

Queensland great Cam Smith was also taken aback by the punishing start.

“You’d have to go back quite some time to match this physicality, this intensity,” said Smith. “We’re saw in Game 1 how fast it was, but I can’t say we’ve seen the hits like we have tonight. It’s unbelievable.”

“It was just good, hard rugby league,” said Paul Vautin. “Unfortunately, some players got their heads in the wrong spots and we lost three players, which is unheard of in any game, let alone an Origin. You know, both teams recovered and they’ve just to work harder now. Queensland down to two on the bench. NSW three.”

The pace never abated through the first half as the teams went in with the Blues up 12-10 after two tries apiece.