NRL fans are calling for a change to the rules around conversions after Nathan Cleary ran down the game clock ahead of his final kick to hand NSW a famous victory in State of Origin 1. Laurie Daley’s Blues produced one of the greatest Origin comebacks in history having come from 20-6 down to win 22-20 after Kalyn Ponga’s send off.
Ponga became the seventh player sent from the field in an Origin match after dangerous contact with Tolu Koula when the winger made a break. The decision was controversial after referee Ashley Klein appeared to disagree with the Bunker’s call to and opted give Ponga his marching orders.
Queensland fans are calling for a change to the shot clock rule for a conversion after Nathan Cleary (pictured right) took his time on his final kick of the game. (Images: Channel Nine/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
With Queensland down to 12 men for more than 20 minutes, NSW ran riot having scored three tries to ignite the comeback. And Maroons fans were left fuming in the final minute of the game when the clock was still ticking away as Cleary lined-up his winning shot at goal.
James Tedesco scored a stunning try with the clock at 78:34 to hand Cleary a conversion attempt to win the game from right in front. Cleary took his time in the pouring rain as the clock ticked away.
Under NRL rules, a player has 80 seconds to attempt a conversion before the game clock is stopped. Cleary took all of his allotted time before the clock was eventually stopped with 0:05 seconds left.
Cleary’s approach was well within the rules, but this prompted questions as to why the clock is still ticking away when a player lines up a conversion. Fans have called for a shot clock to be introduced to speed up the time a player can take a conversion. If they don’t kick it in time they would forfeit the opportunity.
Others felt the clock should be stopped in the final 10 minutes of a game to give fans more time of the ball in play. However, Cleary was ruthless in the rain and used his time well to give Queensland only one play off the kick-off to attempt a comeback.
Kalyn Ponga escapes suspension for tackle
While there was outrage surrounding Ponga’s straight send off in Origin, the fullback will be free to play this weekend for the Knights and play in State of Origin Game 2 after being hit with a Grade 2 charge.
Ponga avoided a suspension from the match review committee on Wednesday night. The NRL changed the rules in recent years to give greater leniency to incidents that occur in rep games. Unfortunately, Koula later failed a head injury assessment (HIA), meaning he’ll be stood from playing for the next 11 days. Cruelly, it means he’ll miss the next two games for Manly – in two days’ time against Cronulla and eight days against Souths.
Kalyn Ponga (pictured) was not suspended for his tackle on Tolu Koula.(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
(Darrian Traynor via Getty Images)