The Blues legend summed up the feelings of angry fans watching at home.
Andrew Johns was among a number of furious viewers to question why State of Origin 2 was stopped on Wednesday night so Reece Robson could get a small cut bandaged. Robson made a try-saving tackle on Reuben Cotter in the 51st minute, before giving away a penalty for interfering in the ruck.
The NSW hooker was left with a cut above his eye that he appeared to pick up from an accidental kick from Cotter while on the ground. With Queensland wrestling back the momentum and looking to go on the attack, they were stopped in their tracks as referee Ashley Klein stopped the game.
Under NRL protocols, trainers can ask the referee to stop the game in the event of a head knock or serious injury. It wasn’t clear on Wednesday night whether it was Klein or the trainer who wanted the game stopped, but it turned out to be a completely unnecessary stoppage.
Robson didn’t need a head injury assessment and wasn’t seriously injured at all, only requiring a bandage to patch up the cut above his eye. It wasn’t the kind of injury that should ever see a game brought to a complete halt, and Johns wasn’t happy about it.
Andrew Johns airs complaint about State of Origin stoppage
Speaking in commentary for Channel 9, Johns pointed out the stoppage allowed NSW to rest and reset their defensive line. It was no surprise the Blues were able to stop the ensuing Queensland raid and prevent them extending a 26-10 lead.
“I don’t think they should stop the game for this,” Johns said. “This is playing into NSW’s hands as they’ll get their breath back. They should take him out the back over the dead-ball line (and continue the game). They shouldn’t be allowed to do this.”
Fans in attendance started booing before play got back underway, with Mat Thompson commenting: “This has been a lengthy stoppage. The fans have had enough.”
Many also took to social media to question why the game had been halted. “Since when have they stopped a game to apply a head bandage,” one person wrote. Another commented: “It’s OK NSW catch your breath, why is the game stopped??”
Refereeing sparks debate after State of Origin thriller
It was one of a number of questionable moments throughout the game, with Queensland on the receiving end of a staggering 10-2 penalty count. However NSW won the six-again count 6-2 and ended up with 55 per cent of possession.
I just don’t think you need 12 penalties and 10 of those going in the way of one team,” Queensland great Corey Parker said on SEN radio. “I think it’s a concern for the game personally.”
The Blues mounted an incredible comeback from 26-6 down, and ended up losing 26-24 despite scoring five tries to four. The goal-kicking of Zac Lomax proved costly, with the winger only converting two out of five attempts. Lomax was thrust into the goal-kicking role because Nathan Cleary was carrying a groin injury, and shied away from a lot of the kicking duties.
