Flegler fined for Trbojevic hit, Walsh avoids sanction for hair pull
Queensland’s Tom Flegler was charged with a grade-two careless high tackle which left Tom Trbojevic concussed and unable to play another NRL game before Origin II.
But the match review committee opted against slapping Maroons fullback Reece Walsh with a contrary conduct charge for pulling the hair of Jarome Luai.
Blues winger Josh Addo-Carr also avoided being sanctioned for hitting Walsh with his forearm in the opening exchanges of the first State of Origin game on Wednesday night.
Flegler was given 10 minutes in the sin-bin for his high shot on Trbojevic in the 69th minute, but can escape with just a $3900 fine — or 13 per cent of his $30,000 match fee — with an early plea.
The only other charge handed down late Wednesday was a crusher tackle on Addo-Carr by man-of-the-match Reuben Cotter, who can also pay a $3000 fine with an early plea.
Trbojevic was quickly ruled out of the game after displaying category-one symptoms after Flegler’s hit. He will be stood down for 11 days, which includes Friday week’s club game when Manly host the Dolphins.
Tom Trbojevic is out of action until Origin II.Credit: Getty Images
“I got hit in the head, I remember carrying the ball, but I don’t remember who hit me in the head,” Trbojevic told this masthead.
NSW coach Brad Fittler must now decide if he sticks with Trbojevic at right centre, despite not having another chance to press his case, or switch Stephen Crichton to his preferred position with Latrell Mitchell expected to return from injury at left centre.
Crichton, who was only promoted to the starting team on Monday following Mitchell’s withdrawal, said the decision would be up to Fittler.
“They [Queensland] scored two tries down my edge, so I’ll do my homework and see where I can be better,” Crichton said.
Josh Addo-Carr escaped sanction.Credit: Getty Images
“It’s been a while since I’ve been on the left. It was a bit weird the first five or 10 minutes, running off different feet, but I got the hang of it quickly.
“It was good to defend outside ‘Romy’ [Jarome Luai] and inside ‘Bizza’ [Brian To’o].”
Crichton said Mitchell had sent a message to the team’s WhatsApp group before kick-off to wish everyone luck.
Luai had his hair pulled late in the game by Walsh, which sparked a melee, but the Queensland debutant No.1 was not charged.
Queensland Rugby League, however, are expected to cop a five-figure penalty for fielding a 14th man for up to 30 seconds when Lindsay Collins took the field when back-rower Tom Gilbert had not yet left the field with a dislocated shoulder.
In other Origin news, Panthers forward Liam Martin received five stitches to a nasty cut above his right eye, while Maroons flyer Selwyn Cobbo had to ice his hip flexor but is not expected to miss any Broncos games.
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