Maroons say it was ‘unacceptable’ that Cameron Murray watched the State of Origin brawl from the sidelines

Cameron Murray’s decision to run 20 metres to involve himself in a brawl from the bench was “unacceptable at any level of football” and should have resulted in his removal from the deciding State of Origin match, Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans has said.

And New South Wales great Laurie Daley has spoken out against the interference of substitutes during on-field brawls, saying the Blues were “very, very lucky” not to have to go down to 12 men as a result of Lock Murray’s actions.

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Murray is facing a two-match ban in the NRL but was not sent off as NSW settled the series with a 14-4 win on Wednesday night. Referee Ashley Klein instead sent him to the Suncorp Stadium sin bin for 10 minutes.

“You can’t interfere in a situation like that from the bench,” Daley said on the Big Sports Breakfast radio show on Thursday.

“I think Cameron was very, very lucky that NSW didn’t play with 12 men.

“If it’s a club player who does something like that – instigating from the bench – then you’re in big trouble.

“I saw him run that distance (on a replay on TV) and thought, ‘Oh Cam, no, no, no, no, no’.”

Cameron Murray was convicted for his involvement in the brawl, but not sent off. Credit: Nine

Daley said he would have understood Murray’s actions if “it’s happening right in front of you” and “you suddenly get caught up in it.”

Murray was joined in the bin by Maroons forward Jeremiah Nanai, who had initiated a push-and-pull battle between Cherry-Evans and NSW playmaker Jarome Luai as third man.

Another Blues great, Steve Roach, defended Murray, saying he was trying to reduce the Maroons’ lead in the battle.

“It was five against one. That’s why Cam ran in,” he said on Big Sports Breakfast.

Cherry-Evans, who called for Murray to be sent off, said after the match that his involvement as a player from the bench was “virtually unacceptable at any level in world football”.

After the match, Blues coach Michael Maguire defended Murray for his actions.

The huge fight broke out in the first half of the deciding match in Brisbane. Credit: Darren England/MONKEY

“He clearly went there because he cared about one of his teammates and the decision was made,” Maguire said.

“I’ve known Cam Murray for a long time and I never thought he would do something like this, but it shows what the group means to each other.”

Blues 18th player Haumole Olakau’atu was ejected from the arena after also being involved in the brawl and was forced to watch as NSW lifted the shield from the tunnel.

He also received a two-match suspension.

Som Manacor

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Maroons say it was ‘unacceptable’ that Cameron Murray watched the State of Origin brawl from the sidelines