Murray, Nanai binned as tempers flare in Origin decider

Tensions boiled over in the first half of a hard-fought State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Daly Cherry-Evans is adamant Cameron Murray should have been sent off after he entered a State of Origin melee from the bench, the Queensland captain declaring the act "unacceptable at any level of football".

Murray achieved the rare feat of being sin-binned from the bench, while Jeremiah Nanai was also marched after a first-half State of Origin decider scuffle that spilled over the sideline on Wednesday.

Queensland back-rower Nanai elevated a push-and-shove between his captain Cherry-Evans and NSW playmaker Jarome Luai when he barged into the pair, before Murray sensationally came from the bench to join the action.

Cameron Murray sin-binned.
Cameron Murray (L) is sent to the bin after joining the first-half melee.

Blues 19th man Haumole Olakau'atu - in dress shoes and formal attire - was also evicted from the playing field for entering the fray and watched the second half from the tunnel.

The NRL is expected to hand out a raft of bans on Thursday.

At the time, Cherry-Evans told referee Ashley Klein that Murray "needs to be sent" and the captain doubled down when asked about the incident after the loss.

"Yep, I feel pretty clear that's pretty unacceptable at any level of footy, but that's just my thoughts," he said after the Maroons' 14-4 loss.

"I thought we were going to get the penalty ... just didn't get the rub of the green tonight."

Daly Cherry-Evans and Ashley Klein.
Daly Cherry-Evans questions referee Ashley Klein's decision to only sin bin Cameron Murray.

Players came from all sides as television monitors and chairs were scattered by the flying bodies.

With Murray already benched, it was NSW forward Mitch Barnett that was taken from the playing field to even up the numbers.

Blues coach Michael Maguire defended Murray and admitted he wasn't aware of Olakau'atu's banishment from the playing surface when he attempted to drag him onto the turf to celebrate post-game.

"Cameron Murray's one of the nicest blokes ... plays the game to perfection," Maguire said.

"I've known Cameron for a long time, never thought he'd jump into something like that, but it just goes to show what the boys mean to each other."

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