'Helping a brother out': Suit-wearing Blues reserve explains why he ran in for Origin brawl

Haumole Olakau'atu said he was just "helping a brother out" when he became involved in a fiery melee during game three.

Olakau'atu, who was not part of the NSW game day squad, was captured on Nine's coverage grabbing Valentine Holmes after a brawl erupted and spilled over the sideline. He was wearing a blazer and chinos at the time.

The Manly forward and Blues teammate Cameron Murray have been charged by NRL match review and face two games on the sidelines each for the fracas. They both risk a further match on the sidelines if they fight the charge and lose.

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As first reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, the NRL banished him from the sideline with the second-rower forced to spend the rest of the game in the dressing room or coach's box.

After the game, he told the SMH he was "just being a friend".

"There was more maroon than blue," Olakau'atu 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.

"There was a whole heap of maroon. I'm just happy the boys got up – I'm happy the boys got the shield to take back home.

"But I'd do the same thing in clubland, 100 per cent ... If it's one of my brothers at Manly, I'd definitely be in the picture to help them out."

Also speaking to the SMH, Maroons star Valentine Holmes said the Manly player was "half choking me".

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"I didn't know who it was until I turned around and saw someone in a suit," Holmes said.

"I don't know what he was doing there. The emotions got the better of him. It's probably not the best look for himself.

"He was obviously trying to break up the fight, but he was half choking me."

The fight started after Daly Cherry-Evans and Jarome Luai came together before players from both sides ran in to get involved.

Maroons second-rower Jeremiah Nanai was the first to be sin binned for his role after he was third man in.

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Cameron Murray was then next to go after he ran from the bench, making him the first ever player to be sin binned for the interchange.

Because Murray wasn't on the field, Mitch Barnett had to go to the bench to make it 12 on 12.

"I've never seen this before, so Cameron Murray's on the bench, gets involved so because he wasn't on the field as an official player he gets 10 in the bin but they have to substitute and take another player off, I've never seen that ever. It's an Origin first," Maroons icon Paul Vautin said on Nine at half-time.

After seeing footage of Murray running from the sideline, Cherry-Evans pleaded for harsher punishment.

"That's unacceptable in the park on the weekend," Cherry-Evans said.

"He needs to be sent."

After the game, images surfaced of Olakau'atu standing at the end of the tunnel as his NSW teammates celebrated on the stage.

Blues coach Michael Maguire admitted he wasn't aware of the eviction during the game.

"I'll tell you a secret - I had no idea about Haumole," he said.

"I was trying to drag him on the field at the end there and I said what for?

"I'll actually have to go back and have a look."