Queensland fans have been left fuming after Kotoni Staggs was able to avoid being sent off for what appeared to be a head shot on Kalyn Ponga.
Ponga was controversially sent off in what turned out to be the turning point in Game I when he made contact with Tolu Koula’s head.
In that game, slow-mo replays seemed to show that there was contact between the two players’ heads as Koula was tackled from behind as well.
Today’s incident has left fans miffed at the decision to only hand Staggs a sin bin, as the tackle looked far worse than that of Ponga’s.
The Queenslander was absolutely cleaned out with a dangerous-looking tackle by Staggs, who had scored earlier in the game.
The tackle came just before Queensland scored a try to take control of Origin II and force a game three decider in Brisbane.
Kotoni Staggs avoided a red card for a dangerous tackle on Queensland’s Kalyn Ponga
Ashley Klein, who had sent off Kalyn Ponga in game one, decided that the tackle was only worthy of a yellow
When the tackle was sent to review it seemed inevitable that the Blues star would be given his marching orders.
‘He comes up out of the play – this is bad,’ Andrew Johns said on Nine.
‘It reminds me of the Reece Walsh tackle from Joseph Suaalii two years ago.’
But that was not to be, as Ashley Klein only handed out a yellow for the tackle.
Fans online have voiced their anger at what they have deemed a light punishment for what looked like a horror tackle.
One user on social media platform X wrote, ‘How was that not a send-off? That was way worse than Ponga’s one in game 1.’
Another posted, ‘Well, I’m f******g confused. Game three will be a decider and that should have been a send off. Staggs can miss game 3.’
Another Queensland fan wrote, ‘So no, we didn’t get that call our way on that late and high Staggs hit on Ponga.’
One user questioned the consistency of decision making by Ashley Klein, posting, ‘If they are meant to be consistent it should have been a send-off for the match. Or is that rule only for QLD?’
Another questioned the decision, adding, ‘How is that not a send off? It’s WORSE than game 1 because Ponga isn’t falling at all.’
While Staggs may have avoided a red and a suspension for game three for the time being, that sin bin was the turning point in the game.
It was a tight game as Queensland battled back from 12-2 down to take a 26-18 lead.
But they romped home, racking up 44 points in total, exploiting the extra space with the Blues down to 12.
The series will now come down to a decider in Brisbane, where the Blues have historically struggled.
They have won just five of their last 23 trips to Suncorp Stadium, with the Maroons making the venue their fortress.
