Queensland are within striking distance of a third consecutive State of Origin series win after Joseph Suaalii’s early dismissal condemned NSW to a 38-10 thrashing at Accor Stadium, and sparked much controversy in the aftermath.
In a horror start to Michael Maguire’s tenure as NSW coach, Suaalii lasted just seven minutes on debut before being sent off for a late high hit on Reece Walsh.
The shot made him the fastest man sent off in Origin history and immediately ruled Walsh out of the rest of Game I as he was knocked out in gruesome scenes that saw his eyes roll back and the fingers on his left hand roll back. twitching in a sure sign that he suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Fortunately, the defender appeared to make a full recovery and was seen hugging his young daughter Leila during the match after finding her in the stands.
Suaalii slammed his shoulder into Walsh’s jaw in the seventh minute, setting a State of Origin record and paving the way for Queensland’s 38-10 victory.
Walsh was knocked unconscious after the hit, causing Maroons assistant coach Nate Myles to receive an official warning from the NRL when he shouted at Suaalii as he left the field.
Walsh’s young daughter Leila was in the crowd, and the defender recovered well enough to find and comfort her while the game was still going on (pictured).
However, that was not the end of the drama of Suaalii’s success.
Maroons assistant coach Nate Myles has been given an official warning by an NRL staff member after he was caught on camera hitting the Roosters star with an intense verbal tirade as he left the field.
Myles, who played for Queensland as a player, unloaded on Suaalii after jumping from his seat on the interchange bench.
Even though Suaalii’s shoulder clearly hit Walsh in the jaw, two of the game’s biggest names thought the sending off was unwarranted.
Footy Immortal Andrew Johns said he was “really surprised” the center was sent off the field.
“In Clubland, yes, it is a farewell. But at this level, I’m really surprised that they fired Joseph Sua’ali’i,’ he said on Channel Nine coverage.
It wasn’t a huge surprise coming from one of the biggest names in Blues history, but the opinion of one-eyed Queensland supporter and Maroons legend Paul Vautin was a total revelation.
Blues legend Andrew Johns said while he thought the tackle was worth sending off in club football, the penalty was too harsh for Origin.
Former Maroons star and coach Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin (pictured) had a surprising take on the sending off, saying Suaalii didn’t deserve it because what he did was “unintentional”.
“Suaalii thinks he’s going to hit him in the chest, but Reece Walsh ducks – it’s reckless and careless, but it’s not intentional,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s a send-off. (Referee) Ashley Klein looked down and saw Reece snoring, so she immediately thought it was a send-off.
Football fans lashed out at his stance on social media, with one writing: “It doesn’t matter if it’s Origin, it’s a dog shot.”
‘Anyone who thinks this is NOT goodbye, it’s time to get out from under your rock and jump into your time machine. It’s not the 80s anymore. That action puts an end to his career. At the wrong angle, it’s the end of life,” another commented.
Martin Lang, who played eight games for Queensland between 1998 and 2000, added: “I applaud the match officials. Direct head contact. If it’s a bye in the NRL, it’s a bye in the State of Origin.
Queensland were able to get super sub Selwyn Cobbo off their bench and into the centers after Walsh was sent off, while NSW paid the price for having no back-up on their bench.
Murray Taulagi (above) leads the celebrations after the Maroons crushed the Blues, who now must win two away games to regain the shield.
As NSW played a short on their right edge, Queensland ran in two first-half tries down that side with Jaydn Su’A and Cobbo trampled.
The Blues eventually switched Stephen Crichton to right-centre to end the Maroons’ threat before half-time, but by then the damage had been done.
Queensland led 20-6, giving NSW an insurmountable mountain to climb.
The road to the Blues’ first series win since 2021 looks equally difficult for Maguire’s men, with the final two matches coming in Melbourne and Brisbane.
Only the 1994 New South Wales team has won the series again after losing the first match at home and having to spend the rest of the series away from home.
NSW started the teams better in the opening minutes on Wednesday night, winning the initial turf battle.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow replaced at fullback after Walsh was removed from the game and recorded a rare Origin hat-trick, as well as saving a try with some incredible defending.
James Tedesco (left) and Liam Martin (right) said it all with their facial expressions after the defeat, which was practically sealed as soon as Suaalii lowered his shoulder.
But when Nicho Hynes hit a grubber kick, the Maroons went upfield with Daly Cherry-Evans jumping from dummy half to put Ben Hunt over.
When they marched to Suaalii, the game changed.
Su’A and Cobbo offloaded in the lead-up to a try for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, while Cobbo ignored Zac Lomax to put the makeshift fullback on for his second.
And while NSW got the game back to 20-10 early in the second half thanks to tries from James Tedesco and Lomax, Queensland were able to pull away again late on despite some brave defending from the Blues.
After holding off a NSW attacking raid with 13 minutes left, Queensland went the length of the field when Cobbo and Hunt broke the line on consecutive plays.
Cherry-Evans, the player of the match, put the game beyond doubt when he intercepted a pass from Isaah Yeo moments later, running 60 meters before accurately kicking for Xavier Coates to score.
Tabuai-Fidow also scored a third try late to seal the Maroons’ biggest win in Sydney.
