Footy legends are slammed for saying horror tackle that smashed Reece Walsh and paved way for huge Queensland win was NOT that bad

Queensland is within touching distance of a third straight State of Origin series victory after Joseph Suaalii’s early send-off condemned NSW to a 38-10 thrashing at Accor Stadium – and sparked controversy afterwards.

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 and high goal on Reece Walsh.

The shot made him the fastest man to be sent off in Origin history and it immediately ruled Walsh out of the rest of Game I as he was knocked out cold in horrific scenes that saw his eyes roll back in his head and the fingers of his left hand. squirming in a sure sign that he had suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Fortunately, the full-back appeared to make a full recovery and was seen hugging his young daughter Leila during the match after finding her in the stands.

Suaalii smashed 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 romp

Walsh was left cold after the goal, with Maroons assistant coach Nate Myles receiving 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 fullback recovered well enough to find and comfort her while the match was still going (pictured)

However, that was not the end of the drama from Suaalii’s hit.

Maroons assistant coach Nate Myles was given an official warning by an NRL staffer 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 – stepped out on Suaalii after jumping from his seat on the substitutes bench.

Despite Suaalii’s shoulder clearly hitting Walsh square in the jaw, two of the biggest names in the match felt the send-off was unwarranted.

Footy Immortal Andrew Johns said he was ‘really surprised’ the center of the pitch was marched.

‘In clubland it is indeed a farewell. But at this level, I’m really surprised that they sent Joseph Sua’ali’i away,” he said in Channel Nine’s reporting.

That wasn’t a huge surprise from one of the biggest names in Blues history, but the reaction from one-eyed Queensland supporter and Maroons legend Paul Vautin was a real eye-opener.

Blues legend Andrew Johns said while he thought the tackle was worth being sent off from club football, the punishment was too severe for Origin.

Former Maroons star and coach Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin (pictured) had a stunning take on the broadcast, saying Suaalii didn’t deserve it because what he did was ‘not intentional’

“Suaalii thinks he’s going to punch 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 goodbye. [Referee] Ashley Klein looked down and saw Reece snoring, so he immediately thought it was a suicide note.”

Footy fans lashed out at their stance on social media, with one writing: ‘It doesn’t matter it’s Origin, it’s a dog shot.’

‘Anyone who thinks this is NOT goodbye: time to get out from under your rock and jump into your time machine. Not the eighties anymore. That action is career-ending. From the wrong angle: it’s a life-ender,” another commented.

Martin Lang – who played eight games for Queensland from 1998 to 2000 – added: “I applaud the match officials. Direct contact with the head. If it’s a broadcast in the NRL, it’s a broadcast in the state of origin.’

Queensland were able to bring super-sub Selwyn Cobbo from their bench to the centers after Walsh was forced off, while NSW paid the price as they were no longer on their bench.

Murray Taulagi (above) leads the celebrations after the Maroons beat the Blues, who now need to win two games on the road to take back the shield

While NSW played one short down the right, Queensland ran two first-half tries down that side, with Jaydn Su’A and Cobbo both making rough runs.

The Blues eventually moved Stephen Crichton to right center to halt the Maroons’ threat before half-time, but by then the damage had been done.

Queensland led 20-6, presenting NSW with an insurmountable mountain.

The path to the Blues’ first win since 2021 looks equally difficult for Maguire’s men, with the last two matches coming in Melbourne and Brisbane.

Only the 1994 NSW side have come back to win the series after losing the first match at home and being asked to spend the remainder of the series on the road.

NSW started the opening minutes on top of the teams on Wednesday night and won the early territorial battle.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow came on at full-back after Walsh was knocked out of the match and recorded a rare Origin hat-trick – saving a try with incredible defending

James Tedesco (left) and Liam Martin (right) spoke volumes with their facial expressions after the loss, which was all but sealed as soon as Suaalii dropped his shoulder

But when Nicho Hynes killed a grrubber kick, the Maroons went infield with Daly Cherry-Evans leaping from dummy half to overthrow Ben Hunt.

When Suaalii was marched, the game changed.

Su’A and Cobbo both fired in the build-up to one try for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, while Cobbo brushed aside Zac Lomax to set the makeshift full-back over for his second try.

And while NSW cut the game to 20-10 early in the second half through tries from James Tedesco and Lomax, Queensland were able to pull away late despite some brave defending from the Blues.

After sustaining a NSW attacking attack with 13 minutes to play, Queensland went all over the field as Cobbo and Hunt broke the line on back-to-back plays.

Man-of-the-match Cherry-Evans then put the game beyond doubt when moments later he intercepted an Isaah Yeo pass, running 60 meters before delivering a precision kick for Xavier Coates to score.

Tabuai-Fidow also scored a third try late on to seal the Maroons’ biggest ever win in Sydney.