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State of Origin Game I: Maroons let 20-0 lead slip in Origin I after Kalyn Ponga sent off late
Kalyn Ponga was sent off for a shoulder charge to the head, and the Blues scored three late tries to complete a 22-20 comeback.
- In the 57th minute at Accor Stadium, referee Ashley Klein sent off Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga for a shoulder charge to NSW winger Tolu Koula's head, overruling bunker official Chris Butler's preference for a 10-minute penalty.
- Queensland had dominated early, building a 20-0 lead after 20 minutes before holding a commanding 20-6 advantage when Ponga attempted to defend against Koula's break down the left wing.
- With Ponga off the field, NSW scored three tries in the final 20 minutes as halfback Nathan Cleary kicked a match-winning conversion with five seconds remaining to seal a 22-20 victory; Koula was ruled out with concussion.
- Former Maroons captain Darren Lockyer called the decision 'the turning point' and said he was 'in shock,' though Queensland coach Billy Slater backed Klein while skipper Cameron Munster suggested Ponga was hard done by.
- The match review committee charged Ponga with a grade-two shoulder charge, imposing only a fine rather than an NRL suspension, with an early guilty plea costing 23 per cent of his match fee; he remains free to play for Newcastle against Parramatta on Saturday and Queensland in Origin II next month.
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Total News Sources21
Leaning Left6Leaning Right4Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Left
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Left
46% Left
L 46%
C 23%
R 31%
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