The Million Pound Game is one of the biggest single matches in English Rugby League.
For those of you unfamiliar with it all, think of it as the sport’s equivalent of football’s Championship Play-Off Final.
The winners play their following season in the Super League – and get all the rewards that come with that – while the losers do not.
This season’s game saw Salford Red Devils and Hull KR – locked on the same points in 10th and 11th in the regular season – battle it out after finishing side by side in the Super 8s.
Hull KR took fourth in the Super 8s and there was almost nothing to choose between them and fifth placed Salford, but a dramatic late drop-goal from Gareth O’Brien broke KR hearts.
@SalfordDevils O'Brien slots over a drop goal from 50m to win the game
FT: Rovers 18-19 Devils pic.twitter.com/wO8mFgeaCx
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 1, 2016
Tensions were naturally running high, even before the late drama, which saw Salford come back after trailing 10-0 and 18-10.
But O’Brien’s intervention seemed to push things over the edge for a few inside the stadium, making for some unpleasant scenes after the final whistle.
Police were forced to step in after fighting broke out on the pitch, and we wouldn’t rule out repercussions for those involved.
https://twitter.com/n1k07a/status/782251998016143361
While this may have been an isolated incident, many on social media were disappointed to see the game end in this manner.
What should have been a memorable afternoon, capped off by one of the most dramatic sporting finishes possible, may be remembered by some for the wrong reasons.
What is happening to the sport I love? This is savagery and a concern. Nobody wants to see this. #darkday #MillionPoundGame
— Danny Reuben (@dannyreuben) October 1, 2016
an embarrassment to this great sport and a disappointment for their clubs
— Katie ❤💛🦅#UTE (@B0ttersnike) October 1, 2016
