NRL: Star's headbutt threatens Origin spot

Jarryd Hayne. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY: Parramatta superstar Jarryd Hayne is in danger of missing State of Origin II after being put on report for headbutting in the Eels' 24-10 win over Melbourne in last night's spiteful NRL grand final rematch.

In an absorbing first meeting between the two sides since that decider, emotions exploded midway through the second half.

Hayne found himself in hot water after tangling with Billy Slater.

Referee Tony Archer left the NSW Origin winger in little doubt as to how costly his 62nd minute blow to Slater's head could become.

"You've got a lot to lose with the weeks ahead," Archer told Hayne.

Slater could well join Hayne on the Origin sidelines after the Storm fullback was sin-binned for retaliating with what appeared to be a elbow to the head of Hayne four minutes later.

The Storm jumped out to a 6-0 lead when Slater pounced on a Cooper Cronk grubber after seven minutes, but it was all the Eels from then on.

Joel Reddy scored one try and set up another for Krisnan Inu to put the Eels up at the break. Reddy completed his double just before the hour mark to put the home side 16-6 ahead.

A Luke Burt penalty goal after Storm prop Brett White was put on report for taking out Fuifui Moimoi off the ball extending the margin to two converted tries before Kris Keating and Greg Inglis scored amid the mayhem late in the game.

In last night's other game, Wests Tigers inflicted more misery on Canterbury at a sodden ANZ Stadium.

Tries from Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah and a late one from big second-rower Simon Dwyer gave the Tigers their third successive win and sent the Bulldogs to their fifth straight defeat.

More than 78mm of rain drenched the playing surface in 24 hours and both sides found the conditions very difficult.

The Bulldogs were in contention for much of the game - the scores were tied 6-6 at halftime, and after 60 minutes it was 12-12.

But a field goal by Robert Liu edged the Tigers in front, then Dwyer's first NRL try - converted by Marshall - put the result beyond doubt.


FULL TIME
Eels 24
Storm 10

Wests Tigers 19
Bulldogs 12

- AAP