NSW debutant Joseph Suaalii has sensationally been sent off only seven minutes and 25 seconds into the 2024 Origin series opener after an ugly late shot on fullback Reece Walsh.
The Roosters flyer’s shoulder made direct contact with the Queensland fullback’s head after he’d passed the ball, leaving him floored on the Accor Stadium turf.
Referee Ashley Klein called Suaalii and Blues skipper Jake Trbojevic forward, saying it was a “very dangerous action” before sending the rookie off.
“I don’t want you to say a word…. direct contact to the head with the shoulder. You’re off. Direct contact with the head,” Klein said.
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The decision shocked Trbojevic who attempted to plead his case with Klein, however Suaalii left the field to become just the sixth player to be sent off in the history of State of Origin.
Walsh, meanwhile, was ruled out for the remainder of the clash with Selwyn Cobbo joining the backline at left centre, moving Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback.
“It’s fast-moving. You’ve got to make decisions at fast pace as well. Sua’ali’i, you heard the referee there with his description, direct and forceful to the head,” Cameron Smith said on Channel Nine’s commentary.
Meanwhile, the eight Immortal Andrew Johns said: “You can see what was happening. On his left-hand side, you can see Joseph started to line up Reece Walsh, then you heard the sound.
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“The sound wasn’t good. As everyone ran away, all their eyes stayed on Reece Walsh.”
Johns was also revealed he was “surprised” Suaalii was sent from the field given Origin is one of rugby league’s most brutal clashes.
“It’s a shame. It is a send-off, but at this level, I’m really surprised they sent Joseph Sua’ali’i off,” he said.
However, Paul Vautin was of the opposite opinion, explaining: “It is reckless and careless but not deliberate. I don’t think it is a send off at this level.
“We always say there’s a bit of leeway in State of Origin, I thought he should have been left on.”
Walsh’s head knock has also vindicated Billy Slater’s decision to pick Cobbo on the bench, with Smith asking the Maroons coach: “a lot of talk about Selwyn Cobbo being on the bench and questioning that. Obviously a great decision to have him there now?”
Slater replied: “Yeah, well, it’s a great thing, isn’t it in hindsight. He’s a quality player, plays that position regularly. So does Hammer (Tabuai-Fidow). It’s worked out that.”
Meanwhile, the rugby league world has weighed in to whether the incident was deserving of a send off.
Source Agencies
