Credit: Nine/WWOS
The women’s NRL Grand Final on Sunday descended into a mass brawl on the final whistle.
Brisbane Broncos sealed a controversial comeback victory against the Sydney Roosters in the Australian showpiece. But as soon as the game finished, Brisbane’s Julia Robinson and Sydney’s Aliyah Nasio were at the heart of the scrap that interrupted the celebrations. Nasio landed a punch during the melee and Robinson was seen with a cut lip and blood streaming from her nose.
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Nasio was dragged away by her team-mates before tempers cooled, allowing the Broncos’ celebrations to restart.
“We’re not going to comment except to say it’s not ideal from our point of view,” said Scott Prince, the Broncos head coach. “There’s no place in the game for that.”
Brisbane’s Ali Brigginshaw put the altercation down to the competitiveness of both sides. “You know what, we are so fiery, we’re competitive, we love our jersey… I know the girls will be friends after,” she said.
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Aliyah Nasio lands a punch on Julia Robinson in the middle of the brawl – Getty Images/Cameron Spencer
The controversy during the match surrounded Mele Hufanga’s try five minutes from the end of the match, which ultimately sealed the 22-18 victory for the Broncos at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.
It was unclear whether Hufanga had managed to ground the ball, but the officials deemed she had and awarded the crucial try.
Roosters players insisted that they had their hands under the ball only for this Broncos try to be awarded – Getty Images/IZHAR KHAN
John Strange, the Roosters coach, did not agree with the decision.
“There’s probably a bit of guesswork,” Strange said. “Belinda [Sharpe, the referee] was always going to send it up as a try, and then it’s probably hard to overturn from there.
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“It is what it is, the decision was made on the run and then they had a look at it. The girls in there said they had their hands under the ball, so it didn’t touch.”
The defeat in the Grand Final was a first for the Roosters all season while victory for the Broncos secured their fourth NRLW title and their first in five years.
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