As the NSW Blues celebrated their stunning State of Origin series win on enemy soil, not far from the jubilant scenes was a lone figure looking on.
Standing in the tunnel all by himself was Haumole Olakau’atu.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: State of Origin ‘turns very ugly’ as melee spills over to bench.
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Earlier, Olakau’atu had been ejected from a game.
When the chaotic first-half melee spilled over to the sideline, Olakau’atu — who was the 19th man — became involved.
The Blues historic 14-4 victory over Queensland on Wednesday night marked only NSW’s third win in a decider in Brisbane, from 13 attempts.
It also secured the Blues just their fifth series victory in 19 years, and denied Queensland a third straight success.
But Olakau’atu was sadly separated from all of that.
The suited-up Manly second-rower was ordered off the playing arena and told to watch the rest of the match from the dressing room, for becoming involved in the incident.
If being forced to watch the celebrations by himself was not punishment enough, further sanctions are expected to come via the match review committee.
Cameron Murray and Olakau’atu are expected to cop the most heat.
Murray was sin-binned for charging into the fight, which was instigated by Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans and Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai.
Murray made a piece of unwanted history for his involvement in the melee by becoming the first player to be sin-binned from the interchange bench.
Cherry-Evans was adamant after the game that Murray should have been sent off, labelling his actions as “unacceptable”.
But NSW coach Michael Maguire came to the defence of the pair, suggesting it was a positive they had stuck up for their teammates.
“When you look at that moment, Cam Murray is one of the nicest blokes in the game,” Maguire said.
“He plays the game to perfection. He obviously went down there because he cares for one of his teammates.
“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 group mean to each other.
“And then he was sent, the boys had to dig deep, and they did.”
After the incident, Olakau’atu told the Sydney Morning Herald that he just wanted to help his teammates.
“There was more maroon than blue, so I was just being a friend,” he said.
“I wanted to help a brother out … Obviously now (I’m worried). But in the moment, I was helping out a brother.
“I’ve only met these guys through footy, but to get to know them on a deeper level in camp, it’s a special thing. I wish nothing but the best for all of them.”
The NSW duo aren’t the only players expected to be investigated out of the match.
Cherry-Evans and Jarome Luai both struck each other to start the melee, while Jeremiah Nanai escalated the situation by charging in and hitting Luai from behind.
NSW 18th man Matt Burton and Queensland prop Moeaki Fotuaika were among other players on the bench to become involved in the situation.
Reece Walsh is likely to attract the attention of the match review committee after his feet collected Stephen Crichton’s head as he attempted to save a try.
Under NRL judiciary rules, players are able to take fines for grade-two offences in State of Origin, but grade-three charges result in bans of at least two matches.
Any charges could prompt a Friday judiciary hearing if players elect to fight them, given the short turnaround to weekend matches.
– With AAP