When Aussie celebrations go wrong

Johnathan Thurston with a cut above his eye caused by a teammate while celebrating the Cowboys NRL grand final victory. Photo / Getty

It's official - victory celebrations can be as much a hazard to a star player's health as the opposition.

Ask Australians Johnathan Thurston and Bernard Foley.

In the case of Thurston, wild on-field celebrations left him with a bloodied eye while Foley inadvertently injured a bystander as he boisterously enjoyed his moment in the sun.

Thurston, regarded as rugby league's best player, was swamped by team-mates immediately after he snapped the winning field goal for the North Queensland Cowboys in extra time in a pulsating NRL grand final triumph over the Brisbane Broncos in Sydney on Sunday night.

The gifted playmaker, instantly recognizable for the headgear he wears in combat, fell under the crush of his ecstatic team-mates. But one of them, Gavin Cooper, landed so hard on Thurston it pushed his headgear onto his face.

When Thurston finally emerged from the mosh-pit, he was sporting a sizeable wound next to his left eye.

Not that it bothered him as he conducted emotional TV interviews on the ground with blood pumping out of the gash.

Foley, a match-winner for Australia in the 33-13 triumph over England which dumped the host nation out of the Rugby World Cup, didn't injure himself in celebrations with Wallaby team-mates but did cause some damage to a woman photographer without realising it.

The Wallabies first five scored from a skilful move with team-mates involving several quick fire passes. After the try was converted, it took Australia into a 17-3 lead. He celebrated by throwing the ball towards the crowd at Twickenham, but missed. Footage appeared to show the ball hitting the camera lens of a woman, slamming the equipment back into her face.

Foley didn't appear to notice as he celebrated with his Wallaby team-mates.