NRL 2020: Luke Brooks, Dane Gagai sin-binned for throwing punches, as Tigers lose to Rabbitohs

NRL stars Luke Brooks and Dane Gagai were both sin-binned for throwing punches, as Wests Tigers' playoff hopes all but ended with a 26-24 loss to South Sydney Rabbitohs. 

Early in the second half, Souths winger Gagai threw the ball at Brooks' head after a tackle and the latter squared up to his opponent. 

The Wests halfback landed the most significant blow of the scrap, but emerged from the incident with a black eye. 

The incident left the Tigers with just 11 players on the field, after Alex Twal was sin-binned just moments earlier for a professional foul. 

By the time Brooks and Gagai returned to the field, the Rabbitohs led 26-12, but Brooks sparked a mini-fightback that ultimately fell short. 

Tigers coach Michael Maguire has no problem with the incident. 

"They got one each, kept it square," says Maguire. "That's one of those ones, where there was a bit of heat there and it's part of what made the game.

"I thought it [the determination] was there beforehand, but it certainly sparked something in the boys and got them going."

Souths coach Wayne Bennett also downplays the incident. 

"It didn't hurt anybody, it was a scuffle," says Benentt. "The referee handled it well, I've got no problems. 

"Players all know the rules there, I don't have any criticism."

NRL 2020: Luke Brooks, Dane Gagai sin-binned for throwing punches, as Tigers lose to Rabbitohs

Their loss means the Tigers need more than a miracle to finish inside the top eight, as - like NZ Warriors - they sit four points behind eighth-placed Cronulla Sharks, but with only two games remaining. 

If the Sharks beat the Warriors on Sunday, the eight playoff teams will be decided with two rounds left. 

The Tigers have the longest post-season drought in the NRL - they haven't contested playoffs since their 2011 loss to the Warriors. 

Join us for live updates of the Warriors v Sharks NRL clash from 8:30pm Sunday