NSW Blues captain Kezie Apps has accused Maroons star Chelsea Lenarduzzi of "milking" a penalty in the final minute of a thrilling State of Origin contest.
Both sides were tied at 6-6 in the final two minutes when the referees penalised the Blues after prop Filomina Hanisi was adjudged to have pulled Lenarduzzi's leg.
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Queensland was awarded a shot on goal directly in front, with Lauren Brown kicking truly to give the Maroons back-to-back Origin titles in the 8-6 win.
The ending left a bitter taste in the Blues' mouths, with Apps not mincing her words following the match.
"I better watch my words," she said after the game. "Look, I thought she was milking it. It's just a really bad way to end a game. I'll leave it at that."
After the referee blew the whistle to award Queensland the penalty, Apps approached the referee and could be heard saying, "She milked that!" while pointing at Lenarduzzi who walked away with a sheepish grin.
Apps' comments came after Nine's commentary team was also left stunned at the referee's call, particularly after the leniency shown in similar incidents throughout the contest.
"What a shame. Kezie Apps' face says it all," Blues great Peter Sterling said on Nine's coverage.
"I've got to say, as harsh as I thought the call against Queensland in the no-try (was), I think this (is) really tough as well considering what we've seen around the play-the-ball all game.
"That doesn't look a whole lot different to incidents that had been let go."
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