The spectacle that is State of Origin was almost ruined on Wednesday night as a record 12 penalties were blown in the first half alone. Fans and commentators were left fuming during the Origin decider at ANZ Stadium when the first half was constantly disrupted by the referee’s whistle. It was the most penalties in the first half of an Origin match in 23 years, meaning the game was very stop-start and the 8-8 scoreline reflected that. One Queensland penalty drew particular ire when Tyson Frizell was deemed to have flopped in order to drive Dane Gagai back into the in-goal - even though the Maroons winger already appeared to be destined for that fate. “The tackle had been made, if I am reading the referee correctly,” Ray Warren said in commentary. “The third tackler in has been deemed to have flopped in the tackle.” However Phil Gould was gobsmacked: “He had no effect on it.” “The referees are interfering in this game too much tonight,” he later added. “The first two games weren’t like this but tonight they want to stamp their authority.” Queensland legend Paul Vautin said: “Some of the penalties have been bewildering.” “They’re going to ruin the game if they keep it up.” Others on social media were equally as alarmed.
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